Equine Influenza Update No 4 - Nationwide Standstill Extended to Friday

Australia’s State, Territory and Federal Agriculture Ministers have today agreed that the nationwide standstill on horse transport be extended at least until 1pm Eastern Standard Time Friday, the Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran said this afternoon. New South Wales and Queensland, however, have indefinite standstill arrangements in place, as those are the states with confirmed cases. The national standstill will be lifted if the advice of all Chief Veterinary Officers is that this can be done on the basis of stringent disease control considerations. Chief Veterinary Officers in unaffected States will be able to consider variations to the standstill prior to this time. Such variations would occur only by agreement. Mr McGauran said that the national standstill was vital in containing and eradicating the spread of Equine Influenza. “The national standstill imposed on Saturday has allowed important surveillance and tracing that will help in halting this highly contagious disease, and the extension will allow it time to be fully effective,” Mr McGauran said. “This standstill applies to all horses, donkeys and mules, not just racehorses, and in effect, it means horses should not be leaving their property, not even when being ridden or led. “The best chance we have of containing this disease is for all horse owners to take responsibility for keeping their horses away from other horses, and preventing transmission through contaminated clothing or equipment. “Cancel all non-essential visitors to your property, including farriers and other service people who may have contact with other horses, until the standstill is lifted. All equine gatherings, including pony and riding clubs, trail rides, competitions and shows should also be postponed until after the standstill,” Mr McGauran said. A national call centre has been established to provide general information to horse owners. The number is 1800 234 002. Website information, including links to State and Territory arrangements, is also available at www.outbreak.gov.au Where owners or carers suspect their horse may be showing signs of respiratory illness they should call their veterinary surgeon or the emergency number 1800 675 888. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Media Releases will be posted tomorrow in regards to EFA competitions due to be held this weekend. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ IMPORTANT REMINDER Monday 27th August - Information Evening on EI for the Horse Leisure Industry The West Australian Horse Industry Council has been approached by the Department of Agriculture to hold an information evening relating to the outbreak of Equine Influenza  in NSW and the subsequent  'shutdown' on horse movement , race meetings  and events across Australia.  This free information evening will be held at the State Equestrian Centre, Brigadoon on Wednesday 29th August 7pm.    Guest speakers will be Garry Hodgen, Inspector in Charge (Stock) Department of Agriculture and Food, Ashley Mercy, Director of Animal Bio security, Department of Agriculture and Food and Dr Judith Medd, Racing Industry Vet for the Dep't of Racing and Wagering WA.  They will be available to answer your questions on the outbreak, the current shutdown on horse movement, recognition of symptoms, stable management and hygiene, current containment strategies , the ramifications for the horse industry and any other questions. The West Australian Horse Industry Council has been working diligently on our behalf over the past few days with both Government and Racing officials in this matter and has gone to great lengths to keep us as informed as possible with the latest updates.  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Media release : 12.00pm 26 August 2007 The Department of Agriculture and Food has acted quickly to ensure all horses moved into Western Australia from NSW in the past week have been located and isolated. Department Director of Animal Biosecurity Ashley Mercy said the owners of 15 horses transported from NSW had been contacted to arrange immediate veterinary inspections of the imported animals in light of strong suspicions of equine influenza in NSW. Dr Mercy said the Department was able to trace all horse movements into Western Australia from interstate, with information on where they came from and the property location of where they were going. He said all imported horses were already routinely subjected to movement restrictions for 100 days after entering the State. Yesterday the Department imposed a stock standstill on the movement of all horses, donkeys and mules within Western Australia as part of a national effort to prevent the spread of equine influenza following a strong suspicion of the virus at five locations in NSW. Dr Mercy said the whole of Western Australia was subject to the standstill, and no horses, donkeys or mules could be moved from the property where they are currently located. "There is no evidence to suggest equine influenza is present in Western Australia, but we will be conducting tests on these 15 imported horses to ensure they are not carrying the virus," Dr Mercy said. All equine events and gatherings in Western Australia have been cancelled as part of the standstill. Dr Mercy said horse owners were reminded to be vigilant for any signs of respiratory disease including a dry hacking cough, watery nasal discharge and fever, together with loss of appetite, muscle pain and stiffness, and laboured breathing. "Anyone witnessing these symptoms in their animals should contact a veterinarian or ring the emergency disease hotline on 1800 675 888," he said. For further information on the movement restrictions contact your nearest office of the Department of Agriculture and Food or phone 0429 687 381. The Brigadoon State Equestrian Centre will be hosting an information session for recreational horse owners at 7pm on Wednesday 29 August.

Important Notice all Horse Owners Please read an update on the horse flu situation and advice on how prevent the spread.

National Horse Flu Emergency We have published a number of items on our site that relate principally to NSW. We wish to emphasise, however, that the outbreak of influenza is a NATIONAL emergency and applies to ALL horses, ponies, donkeys and other members of the horse family, not just to race horses.

NSW Government Bans Racing Indefinitely

Bates Sydney International 3DE CANCELLED

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