Agriculture Victoria media release
2 August 2023
Investigation concludes
Agriculture Victoria has confirmed that recent sudden multiple horse deaths are not linked or the result of an infectious disease.
Sample testing and necropsies were conducted where possible on deceased animals and found nothing unusual or unexpected as contributing causes.
A number of separate diagnoses have been made including intestinal issues in one instance, while there is a possibility of toxic plants present in another.
In some instances it was not possible to determine a clear cause due to a lack of available suitable samples.
The investigation involved a total of 17 horses that died on six separate properties where multiple deaths were reported.
Negative tests were returned for a wide variety of transmissible diseases such as Hendra virus and equine influenza.
We would like to thank the horse industry, private veterinarians, other experts and horse owners for their assistance during this investigation.
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Sudden horse death investigations | Horses | Livestock and animals | Agriculture Victoria