Serological examination for evidence of infection with Hendra and Nipah viruses in Queensland piggeries

Objective To examine piggeries in Queensland for evidence of infection with Hendra virus and Nipah virus. Design A serological survey was designed to provide 99% confidence of detecting at least one infected pig herd in Queensland, assuming that for each virus, at least 5% of herds would have been exposed to virus and that at least 40% of the finisher pigs in these herds would have detectable antibodies to virus. Procedure A two stage sampling regimen was used. All samples were tested with serum neutralisation tests developed and performed at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory. Results There was no evidence of antibody to either virus in the 500 samples collected from 100 herds. Conclusion The results of the survey support a case that commercial pigs in Queensland are free of both Hendra virus and Nipah virus infections.