Latest news with #SoutheastQueensland
News.com.au
07-07-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Deadly Hendra virus confirmed in state for first time since 2022
A deadly animal-borne virus that can also infect humans has resurfaced in South East Queensland, with authorities confirming the state's first case of Hendra virus since 2022. An unvaccinated horse died on a property last week after rapidly deteriorating, with tests later confirming it had contracted the highly infectious virus. Biosecurity Queensland and Queensland Health are now working to manage the risk to humans and other animals. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries released a statement on Sunday confirming the incident. Biosecurity Queensland acting chief veterinary officer Fiona Thompson said staff were working closely with the horse owner to ensure the risk was contained on the property. 'Unfortunately, in this case, the deceased horse had not been vaccinated for Hendra virus,' Dr Thompson said. Dr Thompson said the property was under active surveillance, and health authorities had already assessed potential exposure to other animals and people. 'Tracing and exposure assessments have been undertaken on other horses and animals on the property,' she said. 'We are also working with Queensland Health in relation to humans who may have had contact with the infected horse so their experts can manage the health of people involved.' Queensland chief health officer Heidi Carroll confirmed that public health staff had already contacted those believed to have been exposed. 'While the Hendra virus can spread from horses to people, it is rare,' Dr Carroll said. 'We know from past cases of Hendra virus infection in horses that most people exposed remain well and don't contract the infection. 'People who are assessed as having a high level of exposure to the infected horse will undergo prioritised testing for the virus.' Racing Queensland also released a statement, encouraging owners to vaccinate their horses. 'The horse involved was not a racehorse. The location of the property has not been disclosed at this time,' the statement read. 'Racing Queensland joins Biosecurity Queensland in encouraging owners to vaccinate their horses.' Queensland Health also warned that horses could be infectious before showing signs of illness and urged people who worked with horses to maintain strict hygiene practices, including regular handwashing and covering wounds with waterproof dressings. Hendra virus is spread from flying foxes to horses and can then be transmitted to dogs or humans. There is no vaccine for humans, and the disease has proven fatal in the past. Since the virus was first identified in 1994, more than 90 horses are known to have been infected. All either died from the virus or were euthanised. Seven people have contracted Hendra virus after close contact with infected horses, and four have died. The most recent fatal case occurred in 2009. Dr Thompson urged horse owners to act quickly if their animal became sick. 'Hendra virus infection can occur throughout the year, so it's important that horse owners and people in contact with horses take steps to protect themselves and their animals at all times,' she said. 'We'd urge them to continue to practise good biosecurity and personal hygiene measures, even if a horse is vaccinated against Hendra virus.' Dr Thompson also commended the vet involved for their quick action in managing the case and containing the risk. Queensland Health said people infected with Hendra virus typically experienced flu-like symptoms and, in some cases, encephalitis, a serious inflammation of the brain that can cause headaches, fever and drowsiness. In horses, symptoms of the virus can vary but often include fever, increased heart rate and restlessness. Bat Conservation and Rescue Queensland president Mel Brennan has previously highlighted the critical role flying foxes play in maintaining local ecosystems. 'Without them, there is no native forest or koalas,' she said. 'If you don't touch them, they're not a risk.'
News.com.au
02-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
The Inflictor break delayed with wet weather convincing trainer Craig Cousins to tackle Glasshouse Handicap at Sunshine Coast
Truck driver Craig Cousins was driving past the Sunshine Coast on another rainy day in southeast Queensland this week when the hobby trainer suddenly realised it would be madness to send in-form gelding The Inflictor for a spell. Instead the cult galloper will back up in the $300,000 Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) on Saturday when the Queensland winter carnival draws to a conclusion. The Inflictor, who has collected more than $600,000 in prizemoney, will run just seven days after winning the $160,000 Tattersall's Mile at Eagle Farm, with Rachel King on board. Cousins said immediately after the victory that the four-year-old would have a well-deserved rest. So what changed his mind? 'He was going for a break but he hadn't gone to the paddock,' Cousins said on Wednesday. 'I drove past the Sunny Coast on Monday morning for work and I went 'hmmm, it's raining, he likes the wet' and there you go. 'When I saw the noms I thought 'that race (the Glasshouse) isn't going to be any stronger than what he beat last week'. 'I'm not going to say the 'S (spell) word' but he'll definitely go for a break after this race. 'Every time I mention that 'S word' they don't race well.' THE INFLICTOR! The Stradbroke fairytale galloper holds on for a gritty win under @RachelK11 in the Tattersall’s Mile! ðŸ�† What a win for Craig Cousins & connections ðŸ'� — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) June 28, 2025 Not only does The Inflictor love the sting out of the ground, he also enjoys galloping on the Corbould Park race track. On soft tracks he has a superb record of four wins and four placings from 10 runs and although he's yet to salute at the Sunshine Coast, he's been runner-up three times and finished third on two occasions from five races at the track. 'One time he got beaten by King Yoshi, who's not the worst horse in the world, on a heavy track and the other time was Termagant (on a soft track in July last year),' Cousins said. 'He hasn't been beaten by slouches and he's never been out of the placings at the track. 'He's drawn barrier nine, which is perfect for him, and his blood tests were done on Tuesday and he's fine.' Jag Guthmann-Chester will steer The Inflictor on Saturday, with regular rider Cejay Graham enjoying a holiday in New Zealand while she serves a suspension incurred on Stradbroke Handicap Day last month when The Inflictor finished 11th in Queensland's premier race. Graham copped a 14-day suspension for careless riding on King Kapa in the Hinkler Handicap. Nash Rawiller guided The Inflictor to victory in a Benchmark 85 (1350m) at Doomben on May 24 but he will be riding in Rockhampton this Saturday. The Ciaron Maher -trained Warnie is the current $3.20 favourite in Glasshouse betting markets ahead of The Inflictor ($4.80) and The Kosciuszko champion Far Too Easy ($6), who also thrives on soft tracks (6:5-1-0). Cousins said the $1.5m Listed Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on October 11 would be the next target to kickstart The Inflictor's spring campaign.
News.com.au
26-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
400 houses in the works for first home buyers seeking affordable ownership
Around 400 homes are in the works for Queensland's first home buyers over the next financial year, under a new affordability initiative set to ease both cost and paperwork. Residential builder Creation Homes and national brokerage firm Resolve Finance have announced a partnership that will offer first home buyers a way to streamline financing and building their house. The two teams will be collaborating when working with clients, operating together to reduce paperwork and expenses for the potential buyer. The collaboration also seeks to walk buyers through financing their first home, taking eligible candidates step by step through how they can pay off their loan and the schemes and grants available to them. Then, buyers can purchase house and land packages from Creation Homes across growth areas in southeast Queensland: such as White Rock, Ripley and the Sunshine Coast. Creation Homes Queensland general manager Peter Ryan said the partnership quite literally put the different services under the same roof, and gave buyers more versatility with how they could interview for a loan. 'It's about giving the client certainty about what they qualify for before they go shopping for a new land package,' he said. 'You can act quickly and decisively with land developers, knowing land is scarce.' Packages begin at $650,000, making up a three-bedroom and two-bathroom property. Deposits start at $10,000, with flexible 2-5 per cent options depending on eligibility. Resolve Finance strategic partnerships manager Chris Cummins said eligibility depended on if someone had a deposit and if they could service a loan. From there, candidates were invited to discuss financial pathways with Resolve, made easier by quick communication between departments. 'There are brokerages out there that don't have this relationship with the building company or developer,' he said. 'We're all like-minded … if there are problems and issues that are detected early on, it's about protecting that customer need.' Creation Homes has a series of pre-made house designs for buyers to select, with several homes already under construction.
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Aussie tip worker's rare find after spotting mysterious box in piles of rubbish - and it's very valuable
An 'eagle-eyed' dump worker who found a hidden treasure buried among the piles of garbage he was moving has been praised for returning the find to its rightful owner. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli shared a photo of heavy machinery operator Tim and the collection of four war medals he found at Gatton landfill, in the state's southeast, last week. 'This story was too good not to share,' the premier wrote online. 'We're pleased to report council has already returned the medals to their rightful owner, Crisafulli continued. 'You're a legend, Tim!' Tim, who was only referred to by his first name, found the medals when he noticed an odd-looking box as he was working on shifting rubbish. His curiosity peaked and he opened it, discovering the medals, which have since been identified as the Australian Service Medal, Defence Force Service Medal, Gulf War Medal and Australian Defence Medal. Collectors will often pay upwards of $100 for each war medal. Dozens of commenters were glad to hear the medals were returned to the owner's family. 'Thank goodness someone saw them and now going to get back to the family,' one wrote. 'How lucky that Tim spotted those! Fantastic to hear they are back to their owner,' another said. Others shared unconfirmed theories on how the medals ended up at the dump. 'I suspect the dear man put them away safely and has passed away. The family then went in to clean up and had no idea they were in the box,' one person wrote. Several other commenters had a helpful tip for others, should they find medals. They suggested they contact their local RSL or the Australian War Memorial, with both organisations able to take care of abandoned medals and track their owners.
