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Qld vet tragically dies from Henda Virus

Dr Ben Cunneen, 33, was the senior Equine Vet at the Redlands Veterinary Clinic in Brisbane. 

Ben contracted the virus from infected horses in July and has been in intensive care for the past month.  He died in a Brisbane hospital yesterday.

He was a graduate of Sydney University and also the husband of Gillian Rogers, a well known Dressage rider originally from Sydney.

Hendra Virus was first discovered in Hendra, Queensland, in September 1994 when horse trainer, Mr. Vic Rail, his stable hand and most of his horses became ill.  Mr. Rail and 14 horses died.  

During the most recent outbreak 6 horses contracted the virus and died or were put-down.

This is the first human death from the virus since the mid 1990s.

A vet nurse from the clinic remains in hospital with the virus.

Our thoughts and condolences are with Ben’s family and friends.

ABC report

More information on the Hendra Virus