Important Information on EI for Horse Owners
August 25th 2007 06:24
With this outbreak of equine influenza, I have had many friends at Centennial Park affected. For those of you in Australia who do not know anything about this disease and what to do I have pasted a message forwarded to me from Nicole at NoBIt Bridles to her clients to help you.
There are a lot of rumours going about the place at the moment, and some very sick horses, hopefully all will recover, and the disruption to enjoying our horses can be kept short if we all follow the quarantine guidelines.
As this is the first time we have experienced this disease in Australia, if you have had to handle this disease in another country, please comment.
As you may now be aware Australia has its first ever outbreak of Equine Influenza (EI). A Management Plan is now in place to contain and prevent the spread of this exotic disease and it is important that all horse owners (regardless of breed or discipline) understand these plans and what their obligations are in ensuring this disease does not spread any further.
EI is extremely contagious, not only by horse to horse contact but by human to horse contact so it is crucial that you follow the guidelines provided by DPI and other associated departments.
The key strategies so far include:
a.. A 72-hour non-travel period for all horses has been implemented Nation wide - that means your horses must stay on your property (or wherever they currently are)
b.. Cancellation of all racing and horse events Nation wide
To learn more about the clinical signs of EI, how to protect your horse's and your obligations to prevent the spread of this disease can be found at the following link to the National Pests & Outbreaks website. They will keep you up to date with the latest news so please keep checking for updates.
Really Long Link
We encourage all horse owners to take the time to understand what is happening and take all necessary care to protect our horses. Please feel free to forward this email to any friends who need further information about EI.
Please note that this outbreak is for Australia only and our apologies to anyone on our mailing list who lives overseas and received this email.
Kind regards,
Nicole
NoBit Bridles
0414 320 974
www.nobitbridles.com
There are a lot of rumours going about the place at the moment, and some very sick horses, hopefully all will recover, and the disruption to enjoying our horses can be kept short if we all follow the quarantine guidelines.
As this is the first time we have experienced this disease in Australia, if you have had to handle this disease in another country, please comment.
from freefoto.com
As you may now be aware Australia has its first ever outbreak of Equine Influenza (EI). A Management Plan is now in place to contain and prevent the spread of this exotic disease and it is important that all horse owners (regardless of breed or discipline) understand these plans and what their obligations are in ensuring this disease does not spread any further.
EI is extremely contagious, not only by horse to horse contact but by human to horse contact so it is crucial that you follow the guidelines provided by DPI and other associated departments.
The key strategies so far include:
a.. A 72-hour non-travel period for all horses has been implemented Nation wide - that means your horses must stay on your property (or wherever they currently are)
b.. Cancellation of all racing and horse events Nation wide
To learn more about the clinical signs of EI, how to protect your horse's and your obligations to prevent the spread of this disease can be found at the following link to the National Pests & Outbreaks website. They will keep you up to date with the latest news so please keep checking for updates.
Really Long Link
We encourage all horse owners to take the time to understand what is happening and take all necessary care to protect our horses. Please feel free to forward this email to any friends who need further information about EI.
Please note that this outbreak is for Australia only and our apologies to anyone on our mailing list who lives overseas and received this email.
Kind regards,
Nicole
NoBit Bridles
0414 320 974
www.nobitbridles.com
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Comment by Catherine
Natural Animals
www.outbreak.gov.au
Equine Influenza
What is the Equine Influenza incident?
An Equine influenza infection is highly suspected in horses stabled in Sydney in two locations.
What is Equine Influenza?
Equine influenza (EI) is an acute, highly contagious, viral disease which can cause rapidly spreading outbreaks of respiratory disease in horses, donkeys, mules and other equine species. EI is exotic to Australia and would have a major impact on the Australian horse industry if it were to become established here.
How is EI spread?
The virus is usually spread by:
* direct contact between infected and susceptible horses
* indirect contact with contaminated tack or equipment
* susceptible horses occupying buildings or vehicles recently occupied by diseased horses
* close contact between contaminated horse handlers and healthy horses.
Can people catch EI?
Transmission of EI virus to humans has not occurred during outbreaks of EI in horses.
Equine influenza poses no threat to people, however it can be spread from people to horses via infected clothing.
How can I tell if my horse has EI?
The main clinical signs of EI are usually a sudden increase in temperature (to between 39°C and 41°C); a deep, dry, hacking cough; and a watery nasal discharge, which may later become thick and smelly.
Other signs can include depression, loss of appetite, laboured breathing, and muscle pain and stiffness.
Few adult horses die of the disease but it can kill young foals. Recovery usually occurs after a couple of weeks but horses need to be rested for a further period to avoid complications.
What is the treatment for EI?
* There is no specific treatment other than rest and supportive treatment for the fever and cough.
* Horses that are worked or stressed while sick or during recovery may develop secondary bacterial bronchitis or bronchopneumonia and die.
* Horses should be rested for at least one week for every day of coughing eg. if the horse coughs for 5 days, rest it for 5 weeks.
What restrictions have been put on horse movements in NSW?
All movements of horses in NSW have been restricted in an effort to control the spread of Equine Influenza and to prevent it from becoming established in Australia.
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries is sending Inspectors under the Stock Diseases Act 1923 to inspect horses where there is concern that they may have been exposed to an infected horse.
Some horses, which were in transit when the restriction was put in place, were allowed to continue their journey.
What restrictions are on horse movements in other states?
It has been agreed that all states and territories will implement a standstill on the movement of horses for at least the next 72 hours.
Horse transporters are requested to abide by the standstill and ensure their vehicles and equipment are cleaned before any future use.
Animal health authorities recommend that all equine events and gatherings should not take place during this time.
Horse owners are being asked not to move horses from their properties and that they keep informed about updates for further restrictions. Avoid contact between your horses and other horses.
A number of race meetings have been called off in Australian states. Agricultural Shows, Breed Shows and other horse events have also been cancelled throughout NSW.
Racing clubs and other equine associations are being asked to cancel or postpone any meetings or events.
What happens if my horse is at an event?
Horses at events outside NSW can return directly home provided the travel is only within the state where the event is being held.
Horse owners currently at events can return directly home after thorough cleaning of all their equipment.
How can I protect my horse?
* Keep your horse away from other horses.
* If you have contact with other horses scrub your footwear in disinfectant, shower and change your clothes before handling your horse.
* If you have contact with a sick horse do not go near another horse for 72 hours.
How do I protect my property from possible infection?
Before entering or leaving any premises holding horses, horse owners or handlers should:
* Wear clothes and footwear which have had no contact with horses
* If there is any doubt, clothes should be laundered in a hot wash or dry-cleaned and footwear be cleaned and disinfected.
* Shower or wash using plenty of warm water and soap, and
* Clean and disinfect any item or equipment that may have been in contact with horses including horse transport vehicles.
People having no contact with horses need take no special precautions.
What about my feed delivery?
Non-essential vehicles and visitors must be prevented from entering areas of the premises that hold horses. Arrange whenever possible for collection and delivery of supplies to take place at the boundary of the premises.
Should I cancel my farrier/chiropractor/massage therapist/dentist?
Access to properties should only be allowed if the matter is an emergency. Where possible do not make arrangements for these types of visits until after the stock standstill has been removed.
Where visits do take place ensure appropriate disinfection occurs by the property owner and the visitor.
How do I disinfect my gear?
Equine influenza virus can easily be killed by vigorous cleaning and disinfection of potentially contaminated hands, clothing and objects and is rapidly inactivated by exposure to ultraviolet light.
A dirty surface must always be cleaned thoroughly before it can be satisfactorily disinfected. Organic material such as dirt, manure and straw may neutralise the disinfectant and make it useless.
It is therefore most important that anything that must be disinfected is first thoroughly washed and cleaned and finally washed down or sprayed with an approved disinfectant.
Bleach, diluted as per the manufacturer’s recommendation, is a suitable disinfectant.
Specific agents to kill viruses are available. Please consult your veterinarian for further information.
As disinfectants and chemicals can be irritant, persons handling them should always read the product label and follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and wear protective clothing as necessary.
If you suspect equine influenza in your horse(s) phone the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888