TAKE HORSE FLU SERIOUSLY BEFORE IT TAKES ITS TOLL
Monday 22 October 2007
Regional Victoria, is the focus of a major television, radio and print campaign aimed at keeping Victoria horse flu free, the State’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Hugh Millar announced today.
“The horse community in regional Victoria has shown great courage and responsibility in the face of the threat of Horse Flu from over the border,” Dr Millar said. "Their hard work is paying off and I think they should be able to start planning for horse events after Christmas.”
“I want to acknowledge their tireless work and strident efforts, and I feel certain that the nonracing industry has contributed directly to keeping Victoria free of this disease, which could severely debilitate the horse community,” Dr Millar said.
Announcing the public awareness campaign, titled ‘Keep Victoria Horse Flu Free’, Dr Millar said that the major threat to Victoria’s horse flu free status was complacency.
“That’s why you will see and hear this campaign through regional television, radio and print advertising around the border, including southern New South Wales,” Dr Millar said.
“The campaign message is simple and clear: ‘Take it seriously before it takes its toll’.”
Dr Millar said we’ve already seen in New South Wales the toll that horse flu can take on the recreational non-racing community.
“Indeed, Victoria has suffered severe inconvenience and disruption as part of necessary and strict measures that have helped horse owners to keep Victoria horse flu free,” he said
“But if we drop our guard, things can get much worse, and stay that way for a long time; in some cases forever.
“If horse flu gets in, it will mean that strict quarantine, lockdowns, bio-security regimes and further and longer disruption to equestrian events will be unavoidable.
“If it takes hold, long term vaccination, horse passports and other costly measures will be needed to control this disease.
“So let’s do everything we can to keep it out. You hear this message repeated in the campaign: if you are in contact with horses observe strict hygiene - Wash your hands. wash your clothes, and wash your gear and equipment. Always!”
Regional Victoria, is the focus of a major television, radio and print campaign aimed at keeping Victoria horse flu free, the State’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Hugh Millar announced today.
“The horse community in regional Victoria has shown great courage and responsibility in the face of the threat of Horse Flu from over the border,” Dr Millar said. "Their hard work is paying off and I think they should be able to start planning for horse events after Christmas.”
“I want to acknowledge their tireless work and strident efforts, and I feel certain that the nonracing industry has contributed directly to keeping Victoria free of this disease, which could severely debilitate the horse community,” Dr Millar said.
Announcing the public awareness campaign, titled ‘Keep Victoria Horse Flu Free’, Dr Millar said that the major threat to Victoria’s horse flu free status was complacency.
“That’s why you will see and hear this campaign through regional television, radio and print advertising around the border, including southern New South Wales,” Dr Millar said.
“The campaign message is simple and clear: ‘Take it seriously before it takes its toll’.”
Dr Millar said we’ve already seen in New South Wales the toll that horse flu can take on the recreational non-racing community.
“Indeed, Victoria has suffered severe inconvenience and disruption as part of necessary and strict measures that have helped horse owners to keep Victoria horse flu free,” he said
“But if we drop our guard, things can get much worse, and stay that way for a long time; in some cases forever.
“If horse flu gets in, it will mean that strict quarantine, lockdowns, bio-security regimes and further and longer disruption to equestrian events will be unavoidable.
“If it takes hold, long term vaccination, horse passports and other costly measures will be needed to control this disease.
“So let’s do everything we can to keep it out. You hear this message repeated in the campaign: if you are in contact with horses observe strict hygiene - Wash your hands. wash your clothes, and wash your gear and equipment. Always!”
posted by Horse Deals at
3:24 pm
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