Aust. thoroughbred racing & pacing has been shutdown for a min. period of 72 hrs due to Equine Influenza. Sydney Morning Herald
Shutdown to cost millions
Racing in all mainland states has been shut down as a result of the equine influenza (EI) scare which has halted all horse movement in NSW.
Race meetings in NSW and Queensland were called off early this morning and Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia also have also cancelled today's meetings.
Sixteen horses have now been confirmed as initially testing positive for equine influenza (EI) at two Sydney locations and another six are showing signs of the virus, NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald has confirmed.
At least six horses that have been to those facilities in recent days have travelled to stables at Nowra, Parkes and Maitland and are showing signs of the EI virus but tests have yet to confirm their infection.
Eleven of the infected horses are in lock down at Centennial Park in Sydney's eastern suburbs and another five are at a quarantine facility at Eastern Creek, in Sydney's west.
The horses in question are not racehorses, but some are believed to have travelled to country shows in the past few days.
A 10km exclusion zone is in place around the Centennial Park stables, taking in nearby Randwick Racecourse where some 700 thoroughbreds are trained.
The first case of EI in Australia was detected in a stallion at the Eastern Creek quarantine station on Thursday.
The horse had travelled from the northern hemisphere and the positive test means some 80 horses will be detained at Eastern Creek and Melbourne's Spotswood quarantine stations for at least 30 days.
"We do know that a number who have left Centennial Park and travelled to other parts interstate are suffering flu like systems,'' Mr Macdonald told reporters at Royal Randwick Racecourse today.
"Its a very serious situation.''
The department's chief veterinary officer Bruce Christie further heightened concerns by informing reporters that people who have come in contact with the horses are not at risk of infection but can easily spread the disease.
"In a lot of cases these people have gone into multiple places,'' Dr Christie said.
"Its a massive problem for the horse industry.''
Mr Macdonald estimated that 5000 thoroughbreds are currently in training around NSW and 40,000 more are also at risk of the disease.
Following the closure of Royal Randwick racecourse today and all other racing facilities across the state he estimated the loss will be in the tens of millions of dollars.
"You close down that industry its going to be in the millions of dollars each week for sure,'' Mr Macdonald said.
Mr Macdonald said it was highly likely the current restrictions would last at least two weeks and the effect would be substantial as the racing industry approached its high season.
"There's no doubt it's a disaster for the horse industry at this point in time,'' Mr Macdonald said.
"It comes on the cusp on their spring carnival ... it's a great blow to them.''
Also under threat are horses under the command of NSW Police Force which are stabled near Centennial Park.
The exclusion zone around the areas of infection have been expanded to a 10km radius, the minister said.
With the APEC summit in Sydney just one week away it is unknown if mounted police will be available to fend off expected large-scale protests.
Specific permits to release the horses for duty could be issued if there was no risk of spreading EI.
"The aim would be to see that that will be optional through APEC, but it will be subject to the same sort of restrictions and discussions that we have to go through in relation to this outbreak across the state,'' Mr Macdonald said.
More than 200 department personnel have been directed to horse facilities across NSW to continue issuing tests of areas suspected of possible infection.
Mr Macdonald and Dr Christie are meeting with industry representatives at Royal Randwick to further discuss the response to the EI outbreak.
EI is not infectious to humans but can be carried on clothing and the government also will monitor the movement of vets and staff to and from Eastern Creek.
Aust. thoroughbred racing & pacing shutdown due to EI
Moderators: Roguelet, hpkingjr, WaveMaster
Aust. thoroughbred racing & pacing shutdown due to EI
Last edited by arganaut2 on Fri Aug 24, 2007 8:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
ei
Millions in horseflesh caught up in health scare
Craig Young Sydney Morning Herald
August 24, 2007
BLOODSTOCK worth a conservative $500 million remains locked down at the Eastern Creek quarantine compound on the outskirts of Sydney and three stallions are running temperatures.
One of the stallions caught up in the situation is Coolmore Stud's Encosta De Lago, which is due to serve three-time Melbourne Cup-winning mare Makybe Diva which only last week dropped her first foal.
Coolmore has 11 stallions there and arch rival Darley has 19. Adding to the quarantine concerns is an outbreak of equine influenza in Japan which has shut down its racing industry at a cost closing in on $1 billion.
The Hunter Valley-based Arrowfield Stud confirmed last year's Oakleigh Plate winner Snitzel was among the 52 horses stuck at Eastern Creek.
Snitzel was the first Australian stallion to shuttle to Japan and Arrowfield principal John Messara declared the trip a success. "He is in great nick," Messara said on Thursday. "I've got my man with him at Eastern Creek and he said he is jumping out of his skin. He has never had a bad day, but we are locked in with all the rest of them.
"Indications are three horses have picked up an upper respiratory virus and because of the equine influenza in Japan everyone is on alert."
The Federal Government's Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran told The Age he is confident the outbreak in Japan is not about to impact on Australia.
"Because of the outbreak of EI in Japan, 20 horses in stalls in the vicinity of the affected horses at Eastern Creek have been tested for EI," McGauran said. "As an additional precaution, all of the 52 horses in the Eastern Creek facility will be held for a further five days after all signs of horses running a temperature or coughing have disappeared and treatments have been completed."
McGauran revealed two of the affected horses were from Ireland and one from the US. The stallions were due to leave quarantine last Wednesday after serving the mandatory two weeks in isolation.
The impact has been felt at the Spotswood centre in Victoria where 27 stallions remain locked down due to some of the horses down south travelling on the same planes as those that arrived at the Eastern Creek centre.
Messara believes one stallion's sickness has persisted and "once clear, off treatment, you'll need another five clear days before the horses are released".
"It is not a ridiculously long delay, they should be out next week," Messara said. "The stallions will still be there for the breeding season."
Breeding giants Darley Stud and Coolmore were due to parade their stallions at media and open days in the next week, but those shuttling from Europe and the US are part of the consignment housed at Eastern Creek.
Messara, also president of Aushorse and Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, could not fault the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service.
"No one can argue about this, I'm not complaining in any way," he said.
"We must be sure we do not bring diseases into this country that we have never had here before.
"You don't want to be opening Pandora's box. We'd all be in a lot of trouble. I'm fully supportive of the actions that have been taken."
Craig Young Sydney Morning Herald
August 24, 2007
BLOODSTOCK worth a conservative $500 million remains locked down at the Eastern Creek quarantine compound on the outskirts of Sydney and three stallions are running temperatures.
One of the stallions caught up in the situation is Coolmore Stud's Encosta De Lago, which is due to serve three-time Melbourne Cup-winning mare Makybe Diva which only last week dropped her first foal.
Coolmore has 11 stallions there and arch rival Darley has 19. Adding to the quarantine concerns is an outbreak of equine influenza in Japan which has shut down its racing industry at a cost closing in on $1 billion.
The Hunter Valley-based Arrowfield Stud confirmed last year's Oakleigh Plate winner Snitzel was among the 52 horses stuck at Eastern Creek.
Snitzel was the first Australian stallion to shuttle to Japan and Arrowfield principal John Messara declared the trip a success. "He is in great nick," Messara said on Thursday. "I've got my man with him at Eastern Creek and he said he is jumping out of his skin. He has never had a bad day, but we are locked in with all the rest of them.
"Indications are three horses have picked up an upper respiratory virus and because of the equine influenza in Japan everyone is on alert."
The Federal Government's Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran told The Age he is confident the outbreak in Japan is not about to impact on Australia.
"Because of the outbreak of EI in Japan, 20 horses in stalls in the vicinity of the affected horses at Eastern Creek have been tested for EI," McGauran said. "As an additional precaution, all of the 52 horses in the Eastern Creek facility will be held for a further five days after all signs of horses running a temperature or coughing have disappeared and treatments have been completed."
McGauran revealed two of the affected horses were from Ireland and one from the US. The stallions were due to leave quarantine last Wednesday after serving the mandatory two weeks in isolation.
The impact has been felt at the Spotswood centre in Victoria where 27 stallions remain locked down due to some of the horses down south travelling on the same planes as those that arrived at the Eastern Creek centre.
Messara believes one stallion's sickness has persisted and "once clear, off treatment, you'll need another five clear days before the horses are released".
"It is not a ridiculously long delay, they should be out next week," Messara said. "The stallions will still be there for the breeding season."
Breeding giants Darley Stud and Coolmore were due to parade their stallions at media and open days in the next week, but those shuttling from Europe and the US are part of the consignment housed at Eastern Creek.
Messara, also president of Aushorse and Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, could not fault the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service.
"No one can argue about this, I'm not complaining in any way," he said.
"We must be sure we do not bring diseases into this country that we have never had here before.
"You don't want to be opening Pandora's box. We'd all be in a lot of trouble. I'm fully supportive of the actions that have been taken."
ei
Here is a report released by the ARB -
Equine Influenza
The Australian Racing Board Chairman has reinforced the industry’s total support for the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) as it deals with the suspected diagnosis of equine influenza (EI) in horses stationed at the Eastern Creek quarantine centre. At this stage there is no evidence to suggest that any transmission to the Australian horse population has occurred.
“As disturbing as the news of this possible diagnosis is, it is reassuring that Australia’s quarantine protocols have detected the suspected presence of equine influenza at a point at which, on the current evidence, the problem can be contained and dealt with in a timely way. The important thing now is to support AQIS in dealing with this situation in its customary thorough and science-based fashion, and to maintain the world-envied status of Australia’s horse population as free from EI.”
The ARB Chairman also commended the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, The Hon Peter McGauran MP.
“It has been particularly gratifying to see the hands-on involvement of the Federal Minister, The Hon Peter McGauran. He has an obvious commitment to maintaining Australia’s animal health status, not just for Australian racing but for all livestock industries.”
The Australian Racing Board’s Animal Health Advisor, Dr Patricia Ellis, will continue to work closely with AQIS on the Australian Racing Industry’s behalf.
EQUINE INFLUENZA
Equine influenza is a serious disease of horses. Australia and New Zealand are amongst the few countries with significant equine industries that are free from this disease.
Transmission of equine influenza to humans under natural conditions of exposure has not been reported to occur. Equine influenza should not be confused with avian influenza. They are separate diseases.
Equine influenza, due to influenza H3N8 virus, has been reported in horses in Japan. Unofficial reports indicate that it is widespread. Australian authorities are seeking further information from their Japanese counterparts.
Thirteen Japanese horses are currently undergoing post-arrival quarantine (PAQ) in Australia at two locations.
All 13 horses arrived in Australia from Japan on 8 August 2007 on the same flight. Four horses are at Eastern Creek Quarantine Station in New South Wales and 9 are at Spotswood Quarantine Station in Victoria. A number of horses from other countries are also undergoing PAQ at both stations.
Between 17 and 20 August, at the Eastern Creek Quarantine Station, 2 horses from Ireland and 1 from the USA stabled close to a horse from Japan recorded elevated temperatures and signs consistent with a respiratory infection. Another three horses have subsequently developed nasal discharge and minor temperature elevations.
Affected horses and those at risk of exposure on the Eastern Creek Quarantine station have been tested for equine influenza as a precaution. Initial test results using PCR on nasal swabs from 19 horses indicated 15 negative and four gave indeterminate results. On retest five samples gave a positive result to this screening test. Blood test results from the initial three horses with clinical signs suggest that one of the three horses had recent exposure to equine influenza. Blood test results from 21 horses at the Station are expected later today.
Horses in PAQ would have been due for release this week had there been no disease concerns. On the basis of the test results to date and the clinical signs observed, the PAQ period for these horses has been extended at both Quarantine Stations.
Additional diagnostic samples are being collected from all horses at both Quarantine Stations in an attempt to clarify the situation.
A meeting of Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Disease was held on 23 August to discuss the situation with State/Territory animal health authorities and industry.
The horses currently undergoing PAQ will not be released until it is determined that the group does not represent a risk of introducing equine influenza. The duration of their further quarantine will depend on clinical and laboratory findings.
The temporary unavailability of AQIS quarantine facilities will not affect the use of the private quarantine facility at Sandown racecourse for importation of horses, which meet import conditions, intended for the Spring Racing Carnival, including the Melbourne Cup.
Background
Equine influenza is an OIE listed disease that has the potential for very rapid spread. It can cause illness resulting in loss of performance and deaths in young foals and debilitated horses. The disease would result in serious economic loss within the equine industry due to morbidity and mortality expected in a naïve population
Australia and New Zealand are the only countries with significant equine industries that are free from equine influenza. Horses in Australia are not vaccinated. An outbreak would have a major impact on the equine stud and racing industries, as has been shown by outbreaks in South Africa and Hong Kong.
Quarantine programs have been developed for the safe movement of horses internationally for breeding, racing and other purposes. At this time of year there is a high demand on quarantine facilities in Australia for importation of horses for racing and breeding purposes.
Equine Influenza
The Australian Racing Board Chairman has reinforced the industry’s total support for the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) as it deals with the suspected diagnosis of equine influenza (EI) in horses stationed at the Eastern Creek quarantine centre. At this stage there is no evidence to suggest that any transmission to the Australian horse population has occurred.
“As disturbing as the news of this possible diagnosis is, it is reassuring that Australia’s quarantine protocols have detected the suspected presence of equine influenza at a point at which, on the current evidence, the problem can be contained and dealt with in a timely way. The important thing now is to support AQIS in dealing with this situation in its customary thorough and science-based fashion, and to maintain the world-envied status of Australia’s horse population as free from EI.”
The ARB Chairman also commended the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, The Hon Peter McGauran MP.
“It has been particularly gratifying to see the hands-on involvement of the Federal Minister, The Hon Peter McGauran. He has an obvious commitment to maintaining Australia’s animal health status, not just for Australian racing but for all livestock industries.”
The Australian Racing Board’s Animal Health Advisor, Dr Patricia Ellis, will continue to work closely with AQIS on the Australian Racing Industry’s behalf.
EQUINE INFLUENZA
Equine influenza is a serious disease of horses. Australia and New Zealand are amongst the few countries with significant equine industries that are free from this disease.
Transmission of equine influenza to humans under natural conditions of exposure has not been reported to occur. Equine influenza should not be confused with avian influenza. They are separate diseases.
Equine influenza, due to influenza H3N8 virus, has been reported in horses in Japan. Unofficial reports indicate that it is widespread. Australian authorities are seeking further information from their Japanese counterparts.
Thirteen Japanese horses are currently undergoing post-arrival quarantine (PAQ) in Australia at two locations.
All 13 horses arrived in Australia from Japan on 8 August 2007 on the same flight. Four horses are at Eastern Creek Quarantine Station in New South Wales and 9 are at Spotswood Quarantine Station in Victoria. A number of horses from other countries are also undergoing PAQ at both stations.
Between 17 and 20 August, at the Eastern Creek Quarantine Station, 2 horses from Ireland and 1 from the USA stabled close to a horse from Japan recorded elevated temperatures and signs consistent with a respiratory infection. Another three horses have subsequently developed nasal discharge and minor temperature elevations.
Affected horses and those at risk of exposure on the Eastern Creek Quarantine station have been tested for equine influenza as a precaution. Initial test results using PCR on nasal swabs from 19 horses indicated 15 negative and four gave indeterminate results. On retest five samples gave a positive result to this screening test. Blood test results from the initial three horses with clinical signs suggest that one of the three horses had recent exposure to equine influenza. Blood test results from 21 horses at the Station are expected later today.
Horses in PAQ would have been due for release this week had there been no disease concerns. On the basis of the test results to date and the clinical signs observed, the PAQ period for these horses has been extended at both Quarantine Stations.
Additional diagnostic samples are being collected from all horses at both Quarantine Stations in an attempt to clarify the situation.
A meeting of Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Disease was held on 23 August to discuss the situation with State/Territory animal health authorities and industry.
The horses currently undergoing PAQ will not be released until it is determined that the group does not represent a risk of introducing equine influenza. The duration of their further quarantine will depend on clinical and laboratory findings.
The temporary unavailability of AQIS quarantine facilities will not affect the use of the private quarantine facility at Sandown racecourse for importation of horses, which meet import conditions, intended for the Spring Racing Carnival, including the Melbourne Cup.
Background
Equine influenza is an OIE listed disease that has the potential for very rapid spread. It can cause illness resulting in loss of performance and deaths in young foals and debilitated horses. The disease would result in serious economic loss within the equine industry due to morbidity and mortality expected in a naïve population
Australia and New Zealand are the only countries with significant equine industries that are free from equine influenza. Horses in Australia are not vaccinated. An outbreak would have a major impact on the equine stud and racing industries, as has been shown by outbreaks in South Africa and Hong Kong.
Quarantine programs have been developed for the safe movement of horses internationally for breeding, racing and other purposes. At this time of year there is a high demand on quarantine facilities in Australia for importation of horses for racing and breeding purposes.
ei
Tests show signs of horse flu – standstill placed on all horse movements in NSW
Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said preliminary test results have shown that eleven horses at Centennial Park are likely to be infected with exotic equine influenza.
“As a result the State Government has taken the unprecedented action of calling a complete standstill on the movement of horses in NSW,” Minister Macdonald said.
“This means that horses cannot move from the property they are located until more is known about the location of the disease.
“If animals are in transit, owners can take them on to their destination, or back to their property of origin – whichever is the safest and most sensible option.
“I want to make it absolutely clear that there have never been reported cases where humans have been infected with equine influenza.
“The smallest amount of risk is too much when it comes to exotic diseases finding their way into our country. That is why the State Government has moved quickly to respond and stop the disease from spreading.
“We are taking this threat extremely seriously and had no other option but to call the standstill which will unfortunately cause a number of racing and other horse activities to be cancelled.
“Protection of the State’s horse industries is our priority and we will be working tirelessly in the days and weeks ahead to prevent equine influenza spreading.
“Owners witnessing symptoms of equine influenza in their animals should call the emergency animal disease hotline 1800 675 888.
“I stress destruction of horses is not necessary in the control of this disease.
“The main control strategy is to stop the movement of infected horses.”
Minister Macdonald said screening tests carried out overnight by the State Government’s Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute laboratory returned positive results.
“Australia is one of a few countries with significant equine industries that are free from equine influenza, we must act swiftly to prevent further spread,” he said.
“Equine influenza is not a killer disease, on average affected animals recover within ten days, but it would have a disastrous impact on our horse breeding and racing industries.
Equine Influenza clinical signs
1. Increased temperature
2. Deep, dry hacking cough
3. Loss of appetite
4. Muscle pain and stiffness
5. Laboured breathing
Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said preliminary test results have shown that eleven horses at Centennial Park are likely to be infected with exotic equine influenza.
“As a result the State Government has taken the unprecedented action of calling a complete standstill on the movement of horses in NSW,” Minister Macdonald said.
“This means that horses cannot move from the property they are located until more is known about the location of the disease.
“If animals are in transit, owners can take them on to their destination, or back to their property of origin – whichever is the safest and most sensible option.
“I want to make it absolutely clear that there have never been reported cases where humans have been infected with equine influenza.
“The smallest amount of risk is too much when it comes to exotic diseases finding their way into our country. That is why the State Government has moved quickly to respond and stop the disease from spreading.
“We are taking this threat extremely seriously and had no other option but to call the standstill which will unfortunately cause a number of racing and other horse activities to be cancelled.
“Protection of the State’s horse industries is our priority and we will be working tirelessly in the days and weeks ahead to prevent equine influenza spreading.
“Owners witnessing symptoms of equine influenza in their animals should call the emergency animal disease hotline 1800 675 888.
“I stress destruction of horses is not necessary in the control of this disease.
“The main control strategy is to stop the movement of infected horses.”
Minister Macdonald said screening tests carried out overnight by the State Government’s Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute laboratory returned positive results.
“Australia is one of a few countries with significant equine industries that are free from equine influenza, we must act swiftly to prevent further spread,” he said.
“Equine influenza is not a killer disease, on average affected animals recover within ten days, but it would have a disastrous impact on our horse breeding and racing industries.
Equine Influenza clinical signs
1. Increased temperature
2. Deep, dry hacking cough
3. Loss of appetite
4. Muscle pain and stiffness
5. Laboured breathing
ei
EI has really hit crisis point in Australia.
All horse breeds have been put on alert.
No movement of horses are allowed in Australia except in rare circumstances e.g. a trainer who lives almost next door to a training track and must have a DPI permit. Fines of $44,000 and jail terms are possible if found guilty of this act.
The Melbourne Cup including the Spring Carnival may be postponed by a month. Some who saw first hand the EI outbreak in South Africa, which closed the industry for 6 months, believe it may go as far as the Spring Carnival being cancelled.
The economic ramifications to the Australian economy are enormous.
As one official accurately said, "it is spreading like wildfire".
Here is a timeline produced by a leading Australian internet site www.racenet.com.au who are closely following the events as they unfold -
A timeline in the silent escape of EI
Racenet
Sunday, 26 August 2007
August 16 or 17 are the days most likely that Equine Influenza escaped Sydney’s Eastern Creek quarantine station and silently infected horses in the general population at the Centennial Park Stables as a timeline of events becomes clearer.
Equine Infuenza was detected in Japan some three weeks ago which caused the loss of many meetings in that country for a two week period with racing resuming this weekend.
A shipment of stallions arrived in Australia in preparation for the southern hemisphere breeding season and were sent to Sydney’s Eastern Creek quarantine facility.
Two of these stallions, Rock Of Gibraltar and Snitzel, had come from Japan, however the names of sick horses within the facility have not been made public.
Last Thursday, August 23, it was announced that at least one horse in the quarantine facility was showing signs of EI and the stallions were to be held there for at least the next 30 days.
On the same day, concerns were first voiced to authorities about a number of sick horses at the Centennial Park stable complex in eastern Sydney.
These horses are pleasure and eventing horses, however the Centennial Park stables are little more than one kilometre from Randwick racecourse where up to 800 racehorses are in work and, in a major risk to the racing industry, where there is a clear cross-pollination of personnel between the two venues including vets, farriers, feed merchants and riders.
On Friday it was confirmed the horses at Centennial Park were suffering EI.
On the weekend prior, August 18 and 19 a horse show was conducted at Maitland some three hours north of Sydney where several horses from the Centennial Park stables competed without any obvious signs of illness.
A number of other horses which attended that event, and not based at Centennial Park, are now confirmed as suffering EI.
Those horses during the following week have infected other horses at their respective home bases and have also been transported to other venues allowing the virus to spread quickly and widely throughout NSW and into southern Queensland.
Given the incubation period of 48 hours for the virus the most likely scenario is that the virus was somehow transported from the Eastern Creek quarantine facility to Centennial Park stables on either Thursday August 16 or Friday August 17 in time for horses to contact the virus yet not appear outwardly sick prior to leaving the stables for Maitland.
It is believed authorities are currently focusing on the movement of people between Eastern Creek and Centennial Stables including vets and farriers.
At the moment no thoroughbred which is used for racing purposes has been reported as showing signs of EI, something of a miracle considering the clear movement of personnel from Centennial Stables to both Randwick and Rosehill racecourses during the incubation period.
All horse breeds have been put on alert.
No movement of horses are allowed in Australia except in rare circumstances e.g. a trainer who lives almost next door to a training track and must have a DPI permit. Fines of $44,000 and jail terms are possible if found guilty of this act.
The Melbourne Cup including the Spring Carnival may be postponed by a month. Some who saw first hand the EI outbreak in South Africa, which closed the industry for 6 months, believe it may go as far as the Spring Carnival being cancelled.
The economic ramifications to the Australian economy are enormous.
As one official accurately said, "it is spreading like wildfire".
Here is a timeline produced by a leading Australian internet site www.racenet.com.au who are closely following the events as they unfold -
A timeline in the silent escape of EI
Racenet
Sunday, 26 August 2007
August 16 or 17 are the days most likely that Equine Influenza escaped Sydney’s Eastern Creek quarantine station and silently infected horses in the general population at the Centennial Park Stables as a timeline of events becomes clearer.
Equine Infuenza was detected in Japan some three weeks ago which caused the loss of many meetings in that country for a two week period with racing resuming this weekend.
A shipment of stallions arrived in Australia in preparation for the southern hemisphere breeding season and were sent to Sydney’s Eastern Creek quarantine facility.
Two of these stallions, Rock Of Gibraltar and Snitzel, had come from Japan, however the names of sick horses within the facility have not been made public.
Last Thursday, August 23, it was announced that at least one horse in the quarantine facility was showing signs of EI and the stallions were to be held there for at least the next 30 days.
On the same day, concerns were first voiced to authorities about a number of sick horses at the Centennial Park stable complex in eastern Sydney.
These horses are pleasure and eventing horses, however the Centennial Park stables are little more than one kilometre from Randwick racecourse where up to 800 racehorses are in work and, in a major risk to the racing industry, where there is a clear cross-pollination of personnel between the two venues including vets, farriers, feed merchants and riders.
On Friday it was confirmed the horses at Centennial Park were suffering EI.
On the weekend prior, August 18 and 19 a horse show was conducted at Maitland some three hours north of Sydney where several horses from the Centennial Park stables competed without any obvious signs of illness.
A number of other horses which attended that event, and not based at Centennial Park, are now confirmed as suffering EI.
Those horses during the following week have infected other horses at their respective home bases and have also been transported to other venues allowing the virus to spread quickly and widely throughout NSW and into southern Queensland.
Given the incubation period of 48 hours for the virus the most likely scenario is that the virus was somehow transported from the Eastern Creek quarantine facility to Centennial Park stables on either Thursday August 16 or Friday August 17 in time for horses to contact the virus yet not appear outwardly sick prior to leaving the stables for Maitland.
It is believed authorities are currently focusing on the movement of people between Eastern Creek and Centennial Stables including vets and farriers.
At the moment no thoroughbred which is used for racing purposes has been reported as showing signs of EI, something of a miracle considering the clear movement of personnel from Centennial Stables to both Randwick and Rosehill racecourses during the incubation period.
I believe it was a Japanese-based shuttle sire who first showed signs of the illness. There's an article on http://www.stallions.com.au to go with what's already been posted here.
"A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher...You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse." C. S. Lewis
It's excellent that the Australian authorities acted so quickly to contain it. I wish that our state authorities had acted so quickly when we've had some outbreaks of diseases here. I wouldn't mind having to keep my horse in one spot for a few weeks for a good cause like that.
"When I am on my deathbed, I imagine I will say, 'Thank God I did that'" - Arthur Hancock, on buying back Gato del Sol from Europe after Exceller was killed in a slaughterhouse in Sweden.
An Australian poster on another board has reported that all 200 horses at Centennial Stables have been reported to be infected with EI. I do not know where this poster got that information.
Check out the retiring thoroughbreds from Finger Lakes Racetrack, for sale through FLTAP (a 501 (c) (3) ) at http://fltrainerlist.proboards104.com/
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pfrsue
- Grade III Winner
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There was a mention in Bloodhorse.com that an official "wouldn't confirm" that the stallion that started it was Encostoa De Lago. It hardly matters now, I guess. They definitely need to address the method of transfer though that let it get out of the quarantine facility. That's pretty scary stuff.
It's a very unfunny situation, but I sort of raised my eyebrows over this morning's Bloodhorse.com article that sort of implied that the 50 or so shuttle stallions were engaged to breed 30,000 mares. That gave me a brain cramp for a minute.
It's a very unfunny situation, but I sort of raised my eyebrows over this morning's Bloodhorse.com article that sort of implied that the 50 or so shuttle stallions were engaged to breed 30,000 mares. That gave me a brain cramp for a minute.
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geowarrior
- Leading Sire
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pfrsue
- Grade III Winner
- Posts: 1079
- Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 12:42 pm
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Well, I meant that Bloodhorse must not have been totally clear, since I don't think the average book of mares for those 50 shuttle stallions is in the 600 range. That's what gave me the brain cramp. They need to read over their work more carefully, is all.
Like I said though, there's nothing funny about the situation itself.
Like I said though, there's nothing funny about the situation itself.
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geowarrior
- Leading Sire
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