Equine Influenza spreads in Australia

[CastleMouse]

Taken from the RTE website -

Australian government officials have confirmed that the outbreak of equine influenza has spread beyond Sydney into rural New South Wales and across the state border into Queensland.

The outbreak that has brought Australia's multi-billion horse racing industry to a standstill is starting to spread, with hundreds of horses now displaying symptoms of the disease.

15 of Ireland's leading stallions are among 80 horses being held at two quarantine centres in Sydney and Melbourne.

The stallions are in Australia for the highly lucrative breeding season which begins next month.

 

[S_N]

Next month? It starts next Saturday!

11 non-TB horses have tested for it now, with others being tested - the joys!

 

[pixiebee]

is equine influenze the same as a common co0ld for horses-as my pony has a virus thingy with swollen glands and snotty'ish nose. vet said not to panick about it being contagious but have isoltaed him anyway-strange thing is, he hasnt been off the yard in ages but we have had two new horses arrive at the yard but they both seem very healthy!

 

[S_N]

ei can be carried on our clothes. plus they do not have ei AT ALL in Australia

 

[lifeslemons]

I can remember all the fuss they made during the Sydney Olympics (understandably.) They had massive quarentine proceedures to avoid exactly this. Rather ironic, but at least they delayed it by 7 years.

 

[Skhosu]

Possibly some of the leading irish stallions then? Imports? Shame for australia

 

[regalrendezvous]

All horses over the enire country are on lockdown, no horses are allowed to be transported or leave the property that they are on. Out of 160 horses at one complex in the city ober 150 have tested positive for the virus.

What the news is missing out on are all the non racing industry people that are affected, farriers, dhorse dentists, riding instructors etc.

All those proffesions mentioned CANNOT practise until further notice.

If caught transporting a horse in Australia you could face a fine of up to $44,000 and 12 months in prison.

It has not yet been relased how this virus escaped the quarentine stations.

 

[Skhosu]

Flip. What happens if a horse needs an emergency vet or are they allowed? Good time to learn how to take off a shoe! Hope it all resolves soon..

 

[S_N]

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=40461

 

[goldengryffindor]

if a horse needs an emergency vet you can get travel permits (so far have released 10 in vic) to go to vetinary hospital for operations ect. but horses still in lockdown here in victoria, even though no confirmed cases. supposidly a japanese race horse brought it over.