ID :
16655
Fri, 08/22/2008 - 16:43
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https://oananews.org//node/16655
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Qld vet dies from Hendra horse virus
AAP - A senior vet at a Brisbane clinic hit by an outbreak of Hendra virus has died from the illness.
Ben Cunneen, aged in his early 30s, died in the intensive care unit of the Princess Alexandra Hospital just after 7pm (AEST) on Wednesday, Queensland Health said onThursday.
Dr Cunneen was a staff member at the Redlands Veterinary Clinic in Brisbane's east,which remains quarantined after five horses contracted Hendra virus in late June.
He was admitted to hospital on July 14 when he tested positive to the virus, anddischarged a day later displaying no symptoms.
He was readmitted on July 16 when his condition deteriorated, and has spent severalweeks in intensive care as his condition worsened.
Redlands Veterinary Clinic owner David Lovell said Dr Cunneen's death wasdevastating for his wife and colleagues.
"It's just dreadful, they are devastated," Dr Lovell said.
"His wife Gill had virtually kept a bedside vigil beside her husband for the lastfive weeks.
"No one should have to go through that.
"We've known Ben for a very long period of time," he said.
"He was a very popular fellow and he just loved his work.
"He's been a very valuable employee." Dr Cunneen joined the clinic in the mid-1990s after graduating from the Universityof Sydney.
He returned to Sydney because of a health scare several years ago, before returningto Queensland to re-join the clinic.
Dr Cunneen is the third person to die from Hendra virus in Australia.
An outbreak in 1994 claimed the life of trainer Vic Rail, 49.
Mackay sugarcane farmer Mark Preston, 35, died a year later after being involved inautopsies of horses that had fallen ill.
Hendra virus is known to be transmitted from fruit bats to horses and from horses tohumans, but there has been no human-to-human transmission of the virus.
A second staff member at the Redlands Veterinary Clinic who also tested positive tothe virus, a female nurse, has been discharged from hospital, Dr Lovell said.
She is being closely monitored at home.
A female Department of Primary Industries vet was hospitalised earlier this weekafter being pricked by a needle while euthanasing one of the infected racehorses.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has extended her sympathy to the family of Ben Cunneen.
Ms Bligh said her thoughts were with Dr Cunneen's family and friends.
"My heart-felt sympathy is extended to the veterinarian's family, friends and workcolleagues," she said.
"This is a very difficult time for the veterinarian's family and those who knew and worked with him. My thoughts are with them all at this sad time." The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) says that Dr Cunneen's death has deeplysaddened the industry.
AVA president Mark Lawrie said the association's thoughts were with Dr Cunneen'sfamily.
"Our deepest condolences go out to Ben's family and friends," Dr Lawrie said.
"Ben was a valued member of the veterinary profession and of the AustralianVeterinary Association.
"He will be greatly missed in so many ways by so many." "We also extend our thoughts and sympathy to Dr David Lovell and his team at the Redlands Veterinary Clinic which was at the centre of the Hendra outbreak." Dr Lawrie said Dr Cunneen's death would have a devastating effect on the lives andlivelihood of those who work at the clinic.
"We never want to imagine something like this happening to one of our colleagues,not from just doing their daily work," Dr Lawrie said.
"Despite the best efforts of the veterinary hospital to do the right things in dealing with the outbreak, to be impacted so tragically by the loss of one of their colleagues and by the sad deaths of the horses as well, is overwhelming for all involved." Dr Lovell said the results of tests on the 35 horses in quarantine at his clinicshould be known by Sunday.
He expected a decision on lifting the quarantine next week.
Ben Cunneen, aged in his early 30s, died in the intensive care unit of the Princess Alexandra Hospital just after 7pm (AEST) on Wednesday, Queensland Health said onThursday.
Dr Cunneen was a staff member at the Redlands Veterinary Clinic in Brisbane's east,which remains quarantined after five horses contracted Hendra virus in late June.
He was admitted to hospital on July 14 when he tested positive to the virus, anddischarged a day later displaying no symptoms.
He was readmitted on July 16 when his condition deteriorated, and has spent severalweeks in intensive care as his condition worsened.
Redlands Veterinary Clinic owner David Lovell said Dr Cunneen's death wasdevastating for his wife and colleagues.
"It's just dreadful, they are devastated," Dr Lovell said.
"His wife Gill had virtually kept a bedside vigil beside her husband for the lastfive weeks.
"No one should have to go through that.
"We've known Ben for a very long period of time," he said.
"He was a very popular fellow and he just loved his work.
"He's been a very valuable employee." Dr Cunneen joined the clinic in the mid-1990s after graduating from the Universityof Sydney.
He returned to Sydney because of a health scare several years ago, before returningto Queensland to re-join the clinic.
Dr Cunneen is the third person to die from Hendra virus in Australia.
An outbreak in 1994 claimed the life of trainer Vic Rail, 49.
Mackay sugarcane farmer Mark Preston, 35, died a year later after being involved inautopsies of horses that had fallen ill.
Hendra virus is known to be transmitted from fruit bats to horses and from horses tohumans, but there has been no human-to-human transmission of the virus.
A second staff member at the Redlands Veterinary Clinic who also tested positive tothe virus, a female nurse, has been discharged from hospital, Dr Lovell said.
She is being closely monitored at home.
A female Department of Primary Industries vet was hospitalised earlier this weekafter being pricked by a needle while euthanasing one of the infected racehorses.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has extended her sympathy to the family of Ben Cunneen.
Ms Bligh said her thoughts were with Dr Cunneen's family and friends.
"My heart-felt sympathy is extended to the veterinarian's family, friends and workcolleagues," she said.
"This is a very difficult time for the veterinarian's family and those who knew and worked with him. My thoughts are with them all at this sad time." The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) says that Dr Cunneen's death has deeplysaddened the industry.
AVA president Mark Lawrie said the association's thoughts were with Dr Cunneen'sfamily.
"Our deepest condolences go out to Ben's family and friends," Dr Lawrie said.
"Ben was a valued member of the veterinary profession and of the AustralianVeterinary Association.
"He will be greatly missed in so many ways by so many." "We also extend our thoughts and sympathy to Dr David Lovell and his team at the Redlands Veterinary Clinic which was at the centre of the Hendra outbreak." Dr Lawrie said Dr Cunneen's death would have a devastating effect on the lives andlivelihood of those who work at the clinic.
"We never want to imagine something like this happening to one of our colleagues,not from just doing their daily work," Dr Lawrie said.
"Despite the best efforts of the veterinary hospital to do the right things in dealing with the outbreak, to be impacted so tragically by the loss of one of their colleagues and by the sad deaths of the horses as well, is overwhelming for all involved." Dr Lovell said the results of tests on the 35 horses in quarantine at his clinicshould be known by Sunday.
He expected a decision on lifting the quarantine next week.
