FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Sorry to put this here, but the word seems a bit slow getting out as major media is only referencing racehorses. It seems that a lot of pleasure horse owners still aren't quite sure what is going on. This affects everyone with any dealings with horses or equines, NOT just racehorses.


There are suspected (if not confirmed by now) cases at Centennial Park and Warwick. Several other locations within NSW are thought to be affected, as are 3 in QLD.

THERE IS TO BE NO HORSE MOVEMENT FOR THE NEXT 72 HOURS. ALL SHOWS AND MEETS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

There is a substantial ($40K+) fine for anyone breaking this rule. Apparently 2 people have been fined in SA already for exercising their animals on a public road. Police and stock inspectors are enforcing this. If you see any movement of horses (in floats, trucks or by foot) please notify the authorities (scroll down for numbers)
http://www.outbreak.gov.au/pests_diseases/pests_diseases_animals/equine_influenza/faqs.htm#restrictions

Equine Influenza is potentially deadly so this is not something to be taken lightly. If it becomes established it will be a major problem for not only the racing industry, but for the entire equine industry.


If you have horses or are involved with horses, register here for updates:
http://www.horsecouncil.org.au/

If you need to know what to do to lessen the risk of your horses becoming infected, or need to report a suspected case, read here:
http://www.outbreak.gov.au/

If you need to move your horse to the vet in the case of an emergency, you will require a special permit from the state DPI:
http://www.outbreak.gov.au/contact.html


If you know anyone with horses (or equines of any sort, donkeys, mules etc) please make sure they are aware of the situation. People without internet access, email updates or EFA membership may not be getting up to date information and could be inadvertently putting their own horses, and other people's horses (not to mention the entire country and equine industry) at risk.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

A letter to all horse owners regarding Equine Influenza in New South Wales

Please distribute this information as widely as possible. This is the situation at Sunday, 26 August 2007.

Sick horses, suspected of being infected with Equine Influenza, have now been detected at another 43 locations across NSW. On the basis of clinical signs and preliminary laboratory test results, properties at Parkes in Central West NSW, Tamworth (Moonbi) in northern NSW, Glossodia, Cattai, Berry, Wilberforce (near Windsor on the north west outskirts of Sydney) and Kulnura (near Gosford) are considered infected. This is in addition to the first two confirmed infections at Eastern Creek and Centennial Park.

These secondary cases appear to have resulted from the movement of an infected horse to a One Day Event held just north of Lochinvar, west of Maitland on 18-19 August.

All horses showing a significantly raised temperature and signs of respiratory infection are considered suspect at this time, particularly if more than one horse is involved or they have had contact with other infected or suspected properties.

All horse movements in NSW continue to be banned while further tracing is urgently undertaken. It is essential that all horse owners appreciate that this standstill applies to all horses. Because the infection is being spread by recreational horses we must all ensure that all horse owners comply with the standstill. It is highly likely that all horse events planned for next weekend (1 & 2 September) will be cancelled.

Horse flu can make horses very sick. Healthy horses recover within 10 days but coughing might persist longer. The control strategy is to leave the horses to recover naturally. The disease will burn itself out as long as horse movements and new infections stop. The affected property is considered free of infection 4 weeks after the start of clinical signs in the last infected horse.

If you or your horses have had contact with horses or people who have been to these events or infected properties you must monitor your horses for at least 10 days after the contact for signs of disease. Check for a high temperature (above 38.5 C), cough or runny nose. If a horse has these signs contact your local vet or ring the Disease Hotline 1800 675 888.

Please take great care. The horse industry is facing its biggest threat. We can eradicate the problem if everyone cooperates.

With kind regards

Rod Hoare



For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

They don't vaccinate over there or what? It's a pretty standard vaccine here and generally given to any horses that receive any vaccinations at all. Probably that and the fact it's not usually deadly without a secondary infection is the reason I've never heard anyone make a big deal over it. The odd horse gets infected here and life carries on as usual. A few more people decide to vaccinate for awhile but that's about it. The only outbreaks I hear of are large farms that didn't vaccinate and it mostly just affects that farm and that's it. Really odd to see it's considered so dangerous elsewhere.

Sham - the reason behind no routine or required vaccinations of this sort in australia is because of the strict quarantine laws that are heavily enforced.

Once a horse arrives in australia there is a three month period within the country, but there is also a quarantine period before the horse arrives in australia also.

It looks like the outbreak actually started in a quarantine facility - its suspecting that it came in from a japanese imported horse.

But only time will tell.

Up until 3 days ago, we had no EI over here at all, now it is only NZ that is EI free.

We also don't have WNV or rabies or a whole bunch of diseases common to other countries. The vaccines are available in very limited numbers for horses travelling out of the country. Most horses here would have no immunity to it because they've just never been exposed to that strain, so it has a bit more potential to cause problems.

They are not making the vaccines available at present, and are just trying to let the infections burn themselves out, but it is very difficult as it was confirmed on Friday and all mainstream media can rabbit on about is delays to the spring racing carnival. Most horse owners wouldn't have heard anything until they got online at work today, and that is way too late as it is show season here and everyone is out trying to qualify for state. A whole bunch of shows were also misinformed and started, only to have to close down again, so this could well have spread further.

Stud owners are very nervous as it is foal season and short of living out of airborne range (apparently 8km?) and locking down the property, they can't do anything. People are cancelling farriers and vets and padlocking their gates, because there isn't enough information out there about how serious it is to be able to contain this.

I am only glad that it wasn't foot and mouth or bird flu, because the method of communication from the government has been absolutely appalling. If it wasn't for the internet, nobody would have known about the movement ban at all until it was too late, and they didn't, as evidenced by all the people turning up at showgrounds. All Joe Blogs knows is that the Melbourne Cup is delayed because some overseas stallion has a cough, and so off he goes riding around the countryside and meeting with horsey friends and nobody is any the wiser. It would be like explaining foot and mouth by harping on about a beef shortage and an increase in grocery prices, yes it is related but it does diddly squat to help stop the problem and give the masses the information they need to assist. Some police aren't even aware that they are supposed to be charging people who are moving animals, the whole thing is a bloody joke.


We are an island with (comparatively) very few major diseases and we've become complacent about disease due to our physical isolation. Hopefully this will be contained and eradicated and it'll also light a firecracker under the government to improve isolation procedures and develop a far better method for getting the message out.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

National ban has been extended until Friday, NSW ban is extended indefinitely.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett