Equine Flu scare Australia in lock down

[Mitsy]

APEC horses cleared of flu - for nowSunday Aug 26 15:25 AEST

Police horses expected to take part in security at the APEC summit Sydney are showing no symptoms of equine influenza (EI), but it is early days yet, NSW's chief veterinarian said.

Up to 25 horses have been struck down with the virus in Sydney and rural NSW since the outbreak began last week.

Most of those horses either remain in, or have travelled from, private stables at Sydney's Centennial Park, spreading the infection to sites at Parkes, Tamworth, the Windsor area north-west of Sydney, Wyong on the Central Coast, and Berry.

The others were detected at the federal government's quarantine facility at Eastern Creek, in Sydney's west.

Around 34 horses are located at the mounted police facility - also at Centennial Park.

NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald announced a five-day lockdown of all horse movements across NSW, while Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran imposed a nationwide ban on horse movements, halting horse races and harness racing.

http://optuszoo.news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=289779&_cobr=optus

The possible outbreak is so serious that authorities have shut down horseracing across the Nation for the very first time. There is a real concern because of how infectious this virus is and a few years ago Australia experienced one transfer of this disease to a human.

[Kathe]

This has been all over the news here. Racing was cancelled this weekend and they just announced that there are new outbreaks in Queensland. They are talking about cancelling the Melbourne cup because of it.

They are saying it most likely came from Japan.

Kathe

PS...here is Sydney, AU as I'm here for a bit. LOL, didn't want to get anyone confused who sees that I'm from Michigan.

[sad1987]

well as an Australian i can tell you that the melbourne cup is fairly big so if they cancel it will probably go down like ( really sorry to use this analogy but its the best i can think of) Ham in a mosque! It would also be like canceling the Bathurst 1000 ( a annual 1000 km car race)which for race fans like myself would be sacrilege!!

[wildkoala]

Yes, the news on Melbourne TV did say it was a couple of horses that came over from Japan carrying it and it spread rapidly. They're isolating known cases to prevent it from spreading. New Zealand is now on alert in case any horses have been brought over from here carrying it.

It is potentially bigger than just the cup carnival. Businesses which rely on it (eg clothes, catering, tourism, etc) will also suffer if it's cancelled. Also, it could affect other non-racing horse stuff - eg equestrian clubs, breeding, etc.

Racing officials have said that the Melbourne Cup is likely to be postponed rather than cancelled.

However, the day is still an official state public holiday, whether the cup is running or not (at least I don't think they'll change that, as many people will have arranged rostered days off in conjunction with the public holiday so they can get a long weekend holiday. So workers should still get their day off work.....

PS Ham in a mosque - that's a really great saying!!!!!

[sad1987]

Yes, the news on Melbourne TV did say it was a couple of horses that came over from Japan carrying it and it spread rapidly. They're isolating known cases to prevent it from spreading. New Zealand is now on alert in case any horses have been brought over from here carrying it.

It is potentially bigger than just the cup carnival. Businesses which rely on it (eg clothes, catering, tourism, etc) will also suffer if it's cancelled. Also, it could affect other non-racing horse stuff - eg equestrian clubs, breeding, etc.

Racing officials have said that the Melbourne Cup is likely to be postponed rather than cancelled.

However, the day is still an official state public holiday, whether the cup is running or not (at least I don't think they'll change that, as many people will have arranged rostered days off in conjunction with the public holiday so they can get a long weekend holiday. So workers should still get their day off work.....

PS Ham in a mosque - that's a really great saying!!!!!


yeah it was the best i could think of quickly!

[wildkoala]

The latest report is that the Melbourne Cup is still going ahead as scheduled, as no horses in Victoria have been found to have the virus. No horses are allowed to be brought into Victoria from interstate at the moment.

[Mitsy]

Well a Melbourne cup without other overseas contenders. No guesses this year if the winner will be an Australian horse.

I bet you all those milliners out there are breathing a sigh of relief they may
not end up on the unemployment queues this Christmas after all.


So what style do you think I should go for this year?? :idunno
:napol :bossy :cherry :troll :scrooge :hat

[wildkoala]

Well a Melbourne cup without other overseas contenders. No guesses this year if the winner will be an Australian horse.

I bet you all those milliners out there are breathing a sigh of relief they may
not end up on the unemployment queues this Christmas after all.


So what style do you think I should go for this year?? :idunno
:napol :bossy :cherry :troll :scrooge :hat

I hear the surgical mask is the favoured look in the fashion stakes this year - especially amongst vets and trainers..... :yeah

[Mitsy]

The Sydney races are going to race the horses stuck at their own tracks in front of phantom crowds for the TV punters. So we can wear imaginary clothes and imagine ourselves at the races and not spend a cent. Gee I can even imagine that I win on every race. Hey I've never been to the races before I didn't realsie it could be so much fun. :twitch :heh

Seriously I hope this flu gets under control quickly I love horses they are such noble animals. I used to ride and compete in equestrain events in my youth. Got rheumatoid arthritis now it is uncomfortable to be on a horse for too long these days.