Qld: Number of ill horses continues to climb

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2007
Qld: Number of ill horses continues to climb

BRISBANE, Aug 29 AAP - Almost half of the horses quarantined at a Queensland equestrian
venue are now showing symptoms of horse flu.

Around 250 horses have been stuck at Warwick's Morgan Park, south-west of Brisbane,
since a quarantine lockdown was imposed at the site on Sunday.

Around 100 horse owners and helpers who have stayed behind to care for the animals
are facing a long wait at the venue - the flu must infect all of the horses at the site
before the 30-day quarantine period can officially begin.

Three of the 250 horses have tested positive to the flu in preliminary tests.

Equestrian Federation of Australia vet Julian Willmore today said vets had worked into
the night assessing animals at the site, where the number of horses showing signs of the
illness continued to climb.

"Last count last night we were up to 118 horses showing clinical signs - 50 per cent
of the total number there now," he told ABC radio.

However, Dr Willmore said no horses were dangerously ill.

Blood samples from sick horses at Morgan Park equestrian centre are expected to today
formally confirm the highly contagious virus is responsible for the horses' high temperatures
and coughing.

Department of Primary Industries (DPI) animal biosecurity science manager Ian Douglas
said he was hopeful of containing the outbreak to the state's south-east.

Three south-east Queensland areas have so far been affected - Warwick, Minden and Rosewood.

Dr Douglas said there was no evidence the disease had spread since the ban on horse
movement was imposed, but said it was likely the number of horses with the flu at Warwick
would continue to rise.

"I would probably expect all of those horses would show signs within the next few days,"

Dr Douglas said.

"This virus is very, very contagious and spreads quite rapidly in horses that are in
relatively close contact."

The Queensland government yesterday promised to provide $20,000 to horse owners stranded
in Warwick to help cover costs such as vet bills.

Warwick mayor Ron Bellingham has invoked the council's emergency management plan, as
well as launching a support appeal for those stranded.

Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin today defended the government's handling of
the horse flu outbreak, dismissing the state opposition's claims that DPI staff cutbacks
had slowed its reaction at Warwick.

"I'm more than happy with the way that we are dealing with the issue," Mr Mulherin said.

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KEYWORD: STALLIONS QLD 2ND DAYLEAD

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