Latest on Australian Equine Flu Epidemic

S_N

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http://www.racingpost.co.uk/news/master....story_id=923038

Melbourne Cup still under threat as flu outbreak spreads

THE equine influenza outbreak currently assaulting racing in Australia may have spread close to the borders of the state of Victoria - home of the Melbourne spring carnival.

A number of horses with elevated temperatures have been identified in the stable of trainer Brett Cavanaugh, kilometres from the Victoria border, has deepened fears that races like the Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate may still be threatened.

Racing in neighbouring New South Wales is at a standstill and the Sydney spring carnival already axed over the EI crisis. Now Victoria officials are anxiously awaiting results of tests on Cavanaugh's string after more than ten horses were found with high temperatures.

“We've gone backwards about 500 yards,” chief steward Ray Murrihy told local reporters. “There is a bit of a problem down at Albury. Samples are on their way to the laboratory but you would have to have concerns obviously, due to the number of horses.”

Although racing in Victoria has continued during the crisis, Gold Coast racecourse in Queensland host the first meeting in the state since the outbreak. Eagle Farm in Brisbane will race on Saturday, while NSW officials are awaiting the go-ahead to resume at Sydney's Warwick Farm.

Latest figures suggest more than 1,000 horses have been confirmed as carrying EI in NSW, with over 3,500 suspected.


>>New Zealand has been given the all-clear after blood tests on recently imported horses proved negative for EI.
 
sportznight do you live in australia? just wondering.
all cometitions which where supposed to be happening in september have been cancled too. rumours that there will be nothing on for the rest of the year.
 
LOL - no, but I am affected by this as i work in the TB industry and and running a quarantine yard of horses who were supposed to ship over there on the 23rd of August!! They obviously haven't gone yet! The situation is completely dire - I really feel for you guys!
 
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