Horse flu controls to be eased

By Casey Neill
MEASURES to protect Victoria from equine influenza (EI) will be eased as soon as next month, a move welcomed by Healesville Racing Club.
Victoria’s chief veterinary officer Dr Hugh Millar announced last Wednesday that current restrictions on horse movement and biosecurity measures at race meetings would be eased.
“This could be as early as 1 February 2008 if all goes to plan,” he said.
The first case of EI was confirmed in New South Wales in August last year.
“Strong evidence shows the disease is close to eradication in New South Wales and Queensland and with no new EI cases reported since 21 December 2007, the epidemic should be over by mid March,” Dr Millar said.
He said surveillance measures would continue and that horses moving to Victoria from restricted areas would still be subject to strict control.
“Keeping Victoria free of EI is still our priority and we will not take any actions to put our healthy horses under threat,” he said.
Healesville Racing Club president John O’Neill said relaxing restrictions would allow a return to free movement at the track.
“It’s a relief,” he said.
“We were happy to comply but it made our jobs more difficult.”
O’Neill said the restrictions complicated presentations.
Sponsors and owners were not allowed in the mounting yard and those who had contact with the horses – including trainers and strappers – were unable to move around in the crowd.
O’Neill said the need to fence off different sections at the course meant the measures were also a financial burden for the club.
“We’re very happy that we’ve got through it (the outbreak in NSW and QLD),” he said.