Fowl Play

Bio Security Breach (Fowl Play) Tara Madgwick - Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Thoughts from respect Sydney vet Tim Roberts that transimission of EI may not be all abour human error as DPI might suggest - I am amazed that every time that a property in the Red Zone that has set up bio- security becomes infected with Equine Influenza the blame game starts and there is always the assumption that a breach of bio-security has occurred by personnel working in the area.Lets put this in perspective and have some small (feathered) but significant issues mentioned.

My colleague and respected veterinarian Derek Major has observer EI virus traveling wind born for over 2km. While this is considered a means of transmission which many experts endorse. I personally prefer to believe a far more logical and direct means of transmission of this virus exists. This method of spread is far more effective than wind or people breaking bio-security. This method of spread is so effective it brings the virus right into the nostrils of horses. I talk about the common feral pigeon. (“Racing” pigeon = vitamin laced, grain fed, turbo charged feathered, bio-security evading vermin.)

If anyone has studied the habits of these cunning critters then they will have seen half a dozen fly out of a horses feed bin on any stable visit around eight in the morning or four in the afternoon at most racing stables in Centennial Park, Randwick, Warwick Farm, Condell Park, Rosehill or Broadmeadow. (Getting the idea already.)Now the habits of these stable pigeons are curious, they prefer the grain in the feed bins, so they have a direct competition with their equine host.

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