The Queensland Government is running an online discussion forum on Friday 23 September from 12 pm to 1.30 pm. The forum, titled

'Flying foxes, your animals and you', will be streamed live online on the flying foxes and Hendra virus online information session page and on the

Biosecurity Queensland Facebook page.

Watch a panel of experts address the myths and clarify the facts around flying foxes and Hendra virus.

Submit a question for the expert panel or find out more information from the flying foxes and Hendra virus online information session

Avoiding Hendra is easier than killing bats and pending release of a vaccine against Hendra virus, managing the immediate risk to horses and humans is simple – follow simple hygiene and feed management practices that reduce horse and horse feed exposure to bats and their excretions. Hendra virus is a zoonotic disease, which means it can transfer from animals to people. Hendra virus can cause disease in horses but only rarely causes disease in humans. See links to detailed information about Hendra virus from QG DPI website

The panel experts coming together to answer your questions are:

Mr Clive Cook, General Manager, Department of Environment and Resource Management

Dr Michael Cleary, Queensland Health's Acting Chief Health Officer

Dr Rick Symons, Biosecurity Queensland's Chief Veterinary Officer

Dr Hume Field, Biosecurity Queensland's Principal Scientist 

If you have an urgent enquiry or suspect a possible Hendra case, notify Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 (business hours) or

 the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 24 hour hotline