On Wednesday, one more horse is reported to have succumbed to death after contracting the deadly virus hendra. The virus was first found on 20th June, 2011 in southern Queensland state and one in northern New South Wales. Since then the two states are under high alert.

It has been revealed that the virus could be harmful for human as if contracted by humans, it can cause respiratory illness. Following the outbreak of the virus, the Australian Government has conducted an investigation. As the residents of Queensland are at greater risk therefore, they were asked to go for a blood test.

It has been told that the result of the test will be out within six weeks which will determine whether or not people are at the risk of being affected by the virus. Commenting upon the outbreak of the virus, a woman, Tara Fahy from Queensland, said, "It's something that has been around for quite a few years now but very small amounts, and to have so many in such a short space of time is quite scary”.

The virus was discovered in 1994. Since then it has killed about 50 horses in 15 outbreaks. It has been told that the virus originally spreads from bats. The virus is passed to horses by exchanging chewed fruit and water.