Raiders slam Storm on poaching

Raiders slam Storm on poaching	19.04.2008

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04/19/2008		Raiders link stirs up Hoff
RYAN Hoffman`s dad Jay played in Canberra`s first game in 1982

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Ben was the best vet anyone could ask for he was so patient with our horses. My thoughts are with the Cuneen family and to the families of the infected people. RIP Ben
Posted by: Kaitlyn of Carbrook 1:55pm today

He was so brave. He never gave up.
Posted by: Phil of Brisbane 1:42pm today

I did not know him either but I feel very sad for his family that they have lost this young man in such a tragic way
Posted by: emmdee of hobart 1:40pm today

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Queensland horse vet dies of Hendra virus
He and a nurse infected after treating horses
Is the same virus that killed trainer Vic Rail in 1994

A BRISBANE vet who fell ill with Hendra virus has died in hospital.

Veterinarian Ben Cunneen and a nurse contracted the virus last month after treating horses at the Redlands Veterinary Clinic in Brisbane`s east.

Dr Cunneen died in Princess Alexandra Hospital overnight, clinic owner David Lovell said today.

"Dr Ben Cunneen, he`s been a very valuable employee with us for quite a long time,`` Dr Lovell said on ABC radio.

"He was the first person who became infected in this outbreak and he`s been very, very seriously ill in hospital.``

Five horses have died or been put down as a result of the outbreak at the Redlands Veterinary Clinic, which remains quarantined.

A third staff member at the clinic was taken to hospital this week after being pricked by a needle while euthanasing one of the infected racehorses.

Dr Cunneen, who was in his early 30s, was married without children.

He was a graduate of University of Sydney, and joined the Redlands clinic in the mid-1990s.

Dr Lovell said Dr Cunneen`s illness had been hard on his family.

"I just spare a thought for them. For the last five weeks, I guess it is, they`ve virtually had to maintain a vigil with him against overwhelming odds of any chance of success. It is terrible."

Colleagues also have been hit hard by the death.

"It`s just terrible, they`re very very upset," Dr Lovell said.

"He`s been like part of the family for a long, long time."

The infected nurse was still in hospital but improving, Dr Lovell said.

"I think we`ve got some good news there, I think she`s doing quite well," he said.

Dr Lovell said the results of tests on the 35 horses in quarantine at his clinic should be known by Sunday.

He expected a decision on lifting the quarantine next week.

Dr Cunneen`s death shocked and saddened the industry, the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) said.

AVA president Mark Lawrie said the association`s thoughts were with Dr Cunneen`s family.

"Ben was a valued member of the veterinary profession and of the Australian Veterinary Association. He will be greatly missed in so many ways by so many."

Dr Lawrie said Dr Cunneen`s death would have a devastating effect on the lives and livelihood of those who work at the clinic.

"Despite the best efforts of the veterinary hospital to do the right things in dealing with the outbreak, to be impacted so tragically by the loss of one of their colleagues and by the sad deaths of the horses as well, is overwhelming for all involved."

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh extended her sympathy to Dr Cunneen`s family.

"This is a very difficult time for the veterinarian`s family and those who knew and worked with him. My thoughts are with them all at this sad time."

Dr Cunneen is the third person to die from Hendra virus in Australia.

An outbreak in 1994 claimed the life of trainer Vic Rail, 49.

Mackay sugarcane farmer Mark Preston, 35, died a year later after being involved in autopsies of horses that had fallen ill.

Hendra virus is known to be transmitted from fruit bats to horses and from horses to humans, but there has been no human-to-human transmission of the virus.

Hendra virus (originally Equine morbillivirus) was discovered in September 1994 when it caused the deaths of Mr Rail and 14 horses at a training complex in Hendra, a suburb of Brisbane.

Infectious disease experts say only people who have close contact with infected horses are at risk of contracting Hendra virus and it is not easily transmitted from horse to human.

Symptoms of Hendra virus infection of humans may be respiratory, including haemorrhage and oedema of the lungs, or encephalitic resulting in meningitis. In horses, infection usually causes pulmonary oedema and congestion, according to Wikipedia.

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Today`s Top Picks

Rescue plan for abandoned whale

THE Defence Forces have been called in to help save Colin, the whale calf starving after it was abandoned.
Gallery Pictures: Colin the whale