GOVERNMENT WORKS WITH INDUSTRY ON HORSE FLU
Published Monday, 27 August, 2007 at 04:28 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Queensland Government agencies are working with industry and investigating ways to ensure that valuable horses in lockdown due to the equine influenza threat are not damaged by the measures aimed at protecting them.
Premier Peter Beattie said that horse industry representatives told a State Disaster Management Group meeting today one of the main concerns was the effects on high performance horses being kept in their stalls for too long.
“We are working with them as a matter of urgency to establish a plan whereby the horses do get out to exercise, while not putting them at risk in relation to influenza,” Mr Beattie said.
“People need to understand that the risks involved in this disease relate to the potentially devastating impacts of having to close down major industries and activities over many months.
“There is no health risk for humans and the vast majority of horses that get the disease do not die from it, but they can be very sick for weeks.”
Mr Beattie said the Government was now working closely with the industry to decide on the fate of several upcoming race meetings.
The Government will also organise further assistance for people whose horses are now in lockdown at Warwick.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said that positive results for equine flu have been received from the Australian Animal Health Laboratory at Geelong from the three samples which went down in the Government jet yesterday morning.
“The samples were from NSW horses which were competing at the equestrian event at Morgan Park Recreational Grounds at Warwick,” Mr Mulherin said.
“A final confirmatory result from AAHL will be known later this week. If a positive result is received, the site will remain in quarantine for an extended period with the national Ausvetplan stating a quarantine period of 30 days after the last symptoms are seen.”
“A 10-kilometre restricted zone has been put in place on top of the quarantine at Warwick.
“Owners and people involved in the event are able to move with DPI approval, providing they have adhered to strict hygiene requirements.
“The national equine standstill remains in place and is being reviewed daily.”
Samples from three horses which had shown suspect symptoms, from 10 which were intercepted from interstate at Helidon, have returned a negative result.
Further tracings of horse movements from NSW, as well as from Morgan Park prior to the facility being quarantined are being investigated by DPI.
Concerned horse owners seeking further information members can contact 13 25 23.
27 August, 2007
Further inquiries: Premier’s Office: 3224 4500
Premier Peter Beattie said that horse industry representatives told a State Disaster Management Group meeting today one of the main concerns was the effects on high performance horses being kept in their stalls for too long.
“We are working with them as a matter of urgency to establish a plan whereby the horses do get out to exercise, while not putting them at risk in relation to influenza,” Mr Beattie said.
“People need to understand that the risks involved in this disease relate to the potentially devastating impacts of having to close down major industries and activities over many months.
“There is no health risk for humans and the vast majority of horses that get the disease do not die from it, but they can be very sick for weeks.”
Mr Beattie said the Government was now working closely with the industry to decide on the fate of several upcoming race meetings.
The Government will also organise further assistance for people whose horses are now in lockdown at Warwick.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said that positive results for equine flu have been received from the Australian Animal Health Laboratory at Geelong from the three samples which went down in the Government jet yesterday morning.
“The samples were from NSW horses which were competing at the equestrian event at Morgan Park Recreational Grounds at Warwick,” Mr Mulherin said.
“A final confirmatory result from AAHL will be known later this week. If a positive result is received, the site will remain in quarantine for an extended period with the national Ausvetplan stating a quarantine period of 30 days after the last symptoms are seen.”
“A 10-kilometre restricted zone has been put in place on top of the quarantine at Warwick.
“Owners and people involved in the event are able to move with DPI approval, providing they have adhered to strict hygiene requirements.
“The national equine standstill remains in place and is being reviewed daily.”
Samples from three horses which had shown suspect symptoms, from 10 which were intercepted from interstate at Helidon, have returned a negative result.
Further tracings of horse movements from NSW, as well as from Morgan Park prior to the facility being quarantined are being investigated by DPI.
Concerned horse owners seeking further information members can contact 13 25 23.
27 August, 2007
Further inquiries: Premier’s Office: 3224 4500