Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
Queensland Government

Media Release
25 August 2007

Details of horse stock standstill movement restrictions and biosecurity precautions in Queensland

Horse owners is Queensland must abide by the movement restrictions and take immediate steps to implement sound biosecurity  practices to prevent the spread of equine influenza.

Queensland’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Ron Glanville today quarantined one significant horse event at Warwick and the placed the whole state under a stock standstill notice for all equine species.

“Samples were collected from suspect horses at the Warwick event today and the quarantine notice will remain in place until laboratory test are known,” he said.

“For the rest of the state of Queensland, stock standstill restrictions will apply to all horses, ponies, donkeys, mules, zebras that are presently in Queensland. 

Dr Glanville said the equine stock standstill will not apply to other livestock species including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs camelids, buffalo or chickens which can continue to move without a permit.

Horses can only move with a DPI&F permit or under the direction of the DPI&F biosecurity inspector or Police Officer.

Any owner needing to move a horse should call the DPI&F on 13 25 23 and a DPI&F inspector will ascertain the disease threat and may provide a permit giving authority to move a horse to a specific destination.

This permit to move a horse will have conditions attached including;

• Horses can be returned to their usual place of residence provided it is in Queensland.
• The movement should preferably be completed within 4 hours. 
• The movement must be completed without any contact with other horses that were not present at the same event.
• The movement must be directly back to the premises from which the current journey originated and on which horses had been held or were present immediately prior to the recent movement.
• Owners of NSW horses present in Queensland should contact DPI&F on 13 25 23 as special movement conditions may apply.
  

Once horses have arrived home (when moved under permit), owners should;

• Isolate returning horses from other horses if on property. 
• Ensure that you take personal decontamination precautions before handling other horses. 
• Do not use equipment from returning horses on other horses.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect truck or horse float used to move the horse.
• Do not move other horses onto or off the property.
• Check all horses on the property for disease signs (fever, coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge) for 10 days.
• Isolate any horses with signs of respiratory infection.
• After attending a sick horse, wash all exposed skin with soap and water and change and launder clothes in hot soapy water before handling healthy horses.
• Call your local veterinary surgeon if you suspect respiratory infection. (The vet will contact DPI&F if they suspect equine influenza.)
• Do not go near horses on any other property until further notice from DPI&F.
• Do not borrow horse equipment (tack) from another person or accept back loaned equipment.
• Cancel farriers, chiropractors and equine dentists appointments.  If visits must occur, ensure appropriate disinfection before handling horses.
• Non-essential vehicles and visitors must be prevented from entering areas of the premises that hold horses. Arrange whenever possible for collection and delivery of supplies to take place at the boundary of the premises.
  
  

Dr Glanville asked the public to contact their local veterinarian in the first instance if they suspect their horse has symptoms consistent of equine influenza who will then notify the department.

“If a private veterinarian can not be contacted, then call the DPI&F on 13 25 23.

For more information on equine influenza, movement restrictions in Queensland, obligations and biosecurity practices go to the DPI&F website at: www.dpi.qld.gov.au

Further information:

Rod Thompson, Senior Communications Officer    
Ph: 0409 725452

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
Strategic Communication & Marketing
GPO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001 Ph 07 3239 6380
DPI&F Call Centre 13 25 23 (weekdays 8 am to 6 pm)