Walbundrie horse given clean bill of health

14 Oct 2007

Samples taken from a horse at Walbundrie in the Murray region have tested negative for equine influenza (EI).

Results from the NSW Department of Primary Industries' Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute show no sign of the explosively contagious horse flu.

"The horse has been given a clean bill of health,” NSW DPI deputy chief veterinary officer, Steve Dunn, said today.

"Precautionary testing on one horse which had a raised temperature has categorically eliminated EI.

"I thank the horse’s owner for taking the proactive action and contacting his veterinarian and questioning whether his animal was suffering EI.

I call on all horse owners across NSW to exercise the same action should they something different about their animal’s health."

Mr Dunn said clinical signs of EI include a deep dry hacking cough, a watery nasal discharge that may become cloudy or coloured, a sudden increase in temperature, depression, loss of appetite, laboured breathing, muscle pain and muscle stiffness.