Village horses ‘ quarantined ‘

KATINA CURTIS

A RESTRICTED zone has been set up in a 10km radius around a Broughton Village property where cases of horse flu have been confirmed.

The State deputy chief veterinary officer, Stephen Dunn, ordered the restriction yesterday after the disease was detected at the property Raven Hill.

The restricted area takes in Gerringong, Gerroa, Berry, Foxground and Toolijooa.

A Foxground horse stud owner says everyone needs to be aware of how to contain the recent outbreak of horse flu, not just thoroughbred breeders.

Astra Temple, from Star Park International, put her stud into lockdown on Saturday morning after a number of cases of equine influenza were detected at the Centennial Park stables in Sydney on Friday.

Since then more than 60 cases have been reported.

The Department of Primary Industries has established a frontline control centre in Berry, with vets on hand to help look after the infected animals and test other horses in the region.

A spokeswoman said this would be in operation until the horses were fully recovered.

The department has banned all movements of horses, donkeys, mules and other equines in NSW. There are fines of up to $44,000 for people who break it.

Although the disease is generally not regarded as fatal, Ms Temple said it had been known to kill foals and older horses.

If it takes hold in Australia, the disease could impact on all horse activities, including horse shows, endurance riding, riding clubs and small agricultural shows as well as the racing industry and breeding programs.

Ms Temple said everyone had to be aware of the disease, not just horse owners, because it spread so easily.

"Just don't go patting people's horses over the fences," she said.

Dr Searle echoed this, saying that although humans could not contract the disease they certainly could carry it.

"People should minimise the contact between different farms and all the farms should have their staff really only in contact with their own horses," he said.

Ms Temple said: "If somebody's horse is coughing or sneezing or has a runny nose, then get a vet to check it. It's better to find out it's not EI than letting it go and continue to spread."

Outbreak information: visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza or call 1800 675 888.