KENMORE HORSE POSITIVE FOR EQUINE INFLUENZA
Published Wednesday, 29 August, 2007 at 05:32 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
A horse being monitored by Queensland Government veterinarians at a Kenmore property in Brisbane’s west has today tested positive for equine influenza.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said this was in addition to the already confirmed infections at Warwick, Minden and Rosewood.
“These cases are all linked to a one-day equestrian event in Maitland over a week ago and do not represent fresh, untraceable outbreaks,” he said.
“Of the 268 horses in lockdown at the Warwick site, more than half are showing symptoms of the flu and it is expected that eventually all of those horses will succumb to the illness.
“The horses at Minden, which were originally linked to Warwick, have since been connected only to Maitland and were not at Warwick.
“The Warwick horses are still eating quite well, despite having the flu, and DPI&F vets are working with private vets and owners to make the horses as comfortable as possible,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“The cost of keeping the horses contained at Warwick under the current quarantine notice is being met by the Queensland Government.
“This is an unprecedented situation and the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries is very mindful of the welfare of the horses, which will be there for an extended period.’’
Mr Mulherin said there were about a quarter of a million horses in Queensland and only a tiny fraction were directly affected by the flu outbreak.
“The standstill across Queensland is holding up well. The biggest concern now is that people may become a means of transferring infection to other horses outside the quarantined areas,” he said.
“Equine influenza poses no risk to humans, but it is very important that anyone who is exposed to horses or has regular contact with them shower and change into clean clothing and footwear before coming into contact with other horses.
“This also applies to horse equipment, which should not be moved between farms or shared among other horses.
“If we all do the right thing we can restrict the spread of this illness to the quarantine areas and it will run its course,” Mr Mulherin said
The horse standstill in Queensland is indefinite while the national stand still would be reviewed this Friday.
Queensland owners or carers who suspect their horse may be showing signs of respiratory illness should call their veterinary surgeon or the Disease Watch Hotline number 1800 675 888.
The latest information about the disease or the quarantine restrictions are available on the DPI&F website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au or call DPI&F on 13 25 23.
A national call centre has been established to provide general information to horse owners. The number is 1800 234 002.
Animal welfare provisions at Warwick include:
• truckloads of shavings delivered each day to assist with the management of boxes
• marquees relocated to provide shade for horses and veterinary officers
• a dry hay storage site and 500 bales of hay
• shipping containers for feed storage
• exercise areas to allow horses daily exercise sessions
• An on-site farrier.
Media: 32396530
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said this was in addition to the already confirmed infections at Warwick, Minden and Rosewood.
“These cases are all linked to a one-day equestrian event in Maitland over a week ago and do not represent fresh, untraceable outbreaks,” he said.
“Of the 268 horses in lockdown at the Warwick site, more than half are showing symptoms of the flu and it is expected that eventually all of those horses will succumb to the illness.
“The horses at Minden, which were originally linked to Warwick, have since been connected only to Maitland and were not at Warwick.
“The Warwick horses are still eating quite well, despite having the flu, and DPI&F vets are working with private vets and owners to make the horses as comfortable as possible,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“The cost of keeping the horses contained at Warwick under the current quarantine notice is being met by the Queensland Government.
“This is an unprecedented situation and the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries is very mindful of the welfare of the horses, which will be there for an extended period.’’
Mr Mulherin said there were about a quarter of a million horses in Queensland and only a tiny fraction were directly affected by the flu outbreak.
“The standstill across Queensland is holding up well. The biggest concern now is that people may become a means of transferring infection to other horses outside the quarantined areas,” he said.
“Equine influenza poses no risk to humans, but it is very important that anyone who is exposed to horses or has regular contact with them shower and change into clean clothing and footwear before coming into contact with other horses.
“This also applies to horse equipment, which should not be moved between farms or shared among other horses.
“If we all do the right thing we can restrict the spread of this illness to the quarantine areas and it will run its course,” Mr Mulherin said
The horse standstill in Queensland is indefinite while the national stand still would be reviewed this Friday.
Queensland owners or carers who suspect their horse may be showing signs of respiratory illness should call their veterinary surgeon or the Disease Watch Hotline number 1800 675 888.
The latest information about the disease or the quarantine restrictions are available on the DPI&F website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au or call DPI&F on 13 25 23.
A national call centre has been established to provide general information to horse owners. The number is 1800 234 002.
Animal welfare provisions at Warwick include:
• truckloads of shavings delivered each day to assist with the management of boxes
• marquees relocated to provide shade for horses and veterinary officers
• a dry hay storage site and 500 bales of hay
• shipping containers for feed storage
• exercise areas to allow horses daily exercise sessions
• An on-site farrier.
Media: 32396530