Australian racing cancelled - equine influenza

[_ed_]

Just heard that if there are no outbreaks in Victoria in the next 48 hours the meeting scheduled for Wednesday will go ahead.

I understand their keenness to get things back on track (the idea had been floated of delaying the Melbourne Cup by a month if they couldn't continue soon), but I hope they're not coming back too soon.

[Riot]

"With the transportation of horses banned across most of Australia, and the number of confirmed flu cases all but doubling yesterday to 47, racing authorities were scrambling to limit the damage from the worst disaster to strike the industry - a disaster compounded by owners and trainers continuing to move their horses either in ignorance or defiance of the transport ban."

"In Sydney, the Australian Jockey Club is considering hosting made-for-broadcast race meetings in front of empty grandstands at Randwick in an effort to aid trainers and owners financially punished by the outbreak."

That's the most dangerous part - people that do not take this seriously, and folks that don't realize they can spread it barn to barn themselves.

Good stuff, thanks for posting that.

[my miss storm cat]

"A miracle needed".....

http://www.theage.com.au/news/horse-...066927254.html

[my miss storm cat]

Ban came too late.....

http://www.smh.com.au/news/horseraci...066947484.html

[my miss storm cat]

NSW RACING BAN - All Meetings Off Indefinitely
Story By Chris Scholtz


Monday, 27 August 2007: Racing in NSW has been suspended indefinitely in the wake of the escalation of the equine influenza crisis

Ian Macdonald, the NSW Minister for Primary Industries, has revealed that 415 horses have been identified with flu symptoms at 53 different locations around NSW including 51 with confirmed cases of EI.

Macdonald announced today that no movement of horses in NSW will be permitted in NSW until further notice.

He said the situation would not be reviewed until next Monday.

The extension of the containment order means all thoroughbred and harness racing in NSW will remain suspended until at least next week and cancels out Saturday's Rosehill meeting featuring the $1 million Golden Rose.

"It is vital nobody moves a horse in this state until further notice," Macdonald said.

FInes of up to $44,000 and 12-month jail sentences can apply to any person found moving a horse in NSW while the containment orders are in force.

Police have already stopped more than 100 horse floats on NSW roads since the bans were applied on Saturday.

Randwick racecourse was locked down this morning after the detection of infections in three thoroughbreds from leading stables.

Samples from these horses have been sent for laboratory tests to identify if they are carrying EI with the results not expected until late today.

If they come back positive to EI all horses at Randwick will automatically be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days.

The Victorian Government followed the NSW announcement by confirming that racing and horse movement will remain suspended in that state until Friday, ending hopes of a resumption of racing at Moonee Valley on Wednesday.

Racing Victoria will respond to the latest NSW developments at a media conference at 4pm.

Ian Macdonald announced the formation of a task force to assist people unable to leave locations with their horses, such as showgrounds and riding schools, since the movement bans were imposed on Saturday.

The NSW DPI reported that eight NSW properties and one in Queensland are confirmed infected with equine influenza.

Another 18 NSW properties are under suspicion with results expected to confirm the presence of the disease on at least some of these properties.

Over 250 NSW DPI personnel, supported by Rural Lands Protection Board staff and industry representatives, are working in centres in Orange and Camden to stop the spread of equine influenza.

Authorities are relying on the general public to report horses with a fever greater than 38.5 degrees celsius and respiratory signs.

Horse owners must NOT move their animals and must report any flu-like symptoms to the emregency hotline 02 46406440.

* * *

As an aside, the Japanese runners have officially been ruled out.

[my miss storm cat]

More bad news.


RANDWICK DISASTER - EIGHT POSITIVE TESTS


Thursday, 30 August 2007: NSW racing is in chaos after samples taken from eight horses at the Randwick stables of trainer Anthony Cummings have come back positive to the contagious equine flu virus.

The samples were taken early this morning after one horse was discovered with an elevated temperature last night.

The positive results herald a shutdown of Randwick for up to two months and put an end to any remaining hope of staging the Sydney spring carnival.

Details of contingency plans for the industry are to be announced by Racing NSW and the Department of Primary Industries this afternoon.

Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald held a press conference to announce the results of the EI tests, adding there were other horses in Randwick stables also undergoing tests after showing virus symptoms.

More than 700 horses will be quarantined with no movement of animals in or out of Randwick stables for the duration of the confinement.

Plans for a resumption of racing on other tracks in NSW remains in abeyance as tests are being conducted on horses at other centres.

"This is shocking news for the racing industry and brings the Sydney spring carnival to a halt," Macdonald said.

"Given the virilant nature of this virus we believe it will spread rapidly through the Randwick.

"It probably means Randwick be closed for at least two months and will have a severe impact on a lot of people involved in this great industry."

Macdonald said more than 400 horses had now tested positive to EI in NSW and another 1600 were suspected to be infected.

[my miss storm cat]

Horrible.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-32343,00.html