IMPORTANT INFORMATION - EQUINE INFLUENZA

NEW: Application to move thoroughbred horses to training facilities during the Queensland Government Standstill order. Click here.

NEW: Trainer Information Sessions tomorrow 28/08/07. For more information click here.

NEW: Trackwork Allowed as of Midday Tomorrow 28/08/07. For more information click here.

NEW: Due to the precautionary measures adopted in relation to the Equine Influenza the Eagle Farm meeting set down for Wednesday 29 August 2007 has been abandoned. For more information click here.

NEW: Queensland Racing officials working to manage the Equine Influenza situation. For more information click here.

NEW: For Further information on the DPI's horse stock standstill movement restrictions and biosecurity precautions in Queensland click here.

Queensland has adopted a horse stand still.  This is to take affect from 1.00pm Saturday, 25th August 2007 until further notice.

The stand still requires that there is NO MOVEMENT of horses from their stable facility, and any horse away from their normal stable facility and still in Queensland, may return directly to their primary stable.

Strict adherence will assist with racing being able to return to normal as soon as possible.

All race meetings to be conducted on either Saturday 25th August or Sunday 26th August have been abandoned.

Trials set down for Tuesday will also be abandoned.

Raceclub Facilities

All Queensland Race Courses and training facilities are to be closed until further notice.

Horse Movement Notification

To assist with information gathering, any trainer or property owner which have received horses from New South Wales since 8th August 2007, are to contact Queensland Racing Limited Stewards on (07) 3869 9744.

Equine Influenza (EI)

Equine influenza (EI) is a highly contagious viral disease which spreads rapidly through susceptible horse populations. Affected horses not previously vaccinated will show a high fever, nasal discharge, a persistent hacking cough, and can be depressed and off their feed. Transmission occurs primarily between coughing horses via the respiratory route. Contaminated horse transport vehicles, equipment, stablehands, veterinarians, trainers and other people who have close contact with affected horses can also transfer infection between premises.

Affected horses not previously vaccinated for EI may take up to three months to recover from the disease. If an outbreak of EI occurred in Queensland, race meetings would have to be cancelled for many weeks because of bans imposed on the movement of horses in order to reduce disease spread, and the lack of fit horses able to compete.

Our first line of defence is a strong quarantine barriers, such as the facility at Eastern Creek. However, our next line of defence is an alert and prepared racing industry. By including some simple procedures into daily routine, industry participants can play their part in restricting the spread of an exotic disease and shorten the duration of an outbreak if one ever entered Australia.

Protect your horses by following these basic rules:

• Isolate new arrivals from existing horses.
• If horses are stabled, take daily rectal temperatures. This is an effective way of monitoring for the occurrence of disease.
• Segregate horses by age and use, eg, keep yearlings separate from older horses and pregnant mares, and competition horses away from stay-at-home horses.
• Isolate sick horses at the first sign of illness, keeping their gear separate.
• Wash hands between handling groups of horses. Handle sick horses last.
• Keep records of horses' movements so that they and their contacts can be tracked in the event of a disease outbreak.
• Control insects and rodents. Ensure there is good drainage and manure disposal and management to prevent insects like mosquitoes and March flies from breeding.
• When vaccinating against strangles and equine herpes virus, give the full course of vaccination and regular boosters, as recommended. Use a fresh needle and syringe when vaccinating and administering any treatment.
• Clean and disinfect stables, equipment and transport vehicles regularly.
• Clean equipment like twitches with disinfectant.
• Keep boundary fences in good condition.

For more information on Equine Influenza see the Department of Primary Industry website: www.dpi.qld.gov.au or clieck here for EI talking points.

If you experience an unusual number of sick horses with high temperatures or animals with unusual signs, immediately call your veterinarian, or the Emergency Disease Watch Hotline. 1800 675 888

Human Decontamination

EI can be carried by humans and therefore, it is imperative that any person who may have had contact with suspect horses are to decontaminate themselves before coming in contact with horses from other areas.  There is an urgent necessity for high level personal quarantine as EI can be carried through contact with skin, clothing, footwear and gear.

Important Websites

Updates will be provided at:

www.queenslandracing.com.au

and

www.dpi.qld.gov.au

Important Contacts

For further information contact Queensland Racing Stewards on: 07 3869 9747.

Queensland Racing Chief Steward Reid Sanders: 0411 601 930