Australian racing cancelled - equine influenza

[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.