What NSW Zone are you in?

Follow this link!

Very Patient and Responsible

We have all been very patient and responsible about keeping our horses at home

BUT: Now we see brood mares being transported to studs (ok clean the floats and don't stop) and the horses that have been in Spotswood quarantine have been allowed to leave there and go home.
We see racing and trotting meetings going on, and yet we, with possibly the most cared for horses in the state are supposed to sit at home polishing our haloes for another three months? I sincerely hope not.

I would hope that events could be held at the National Equestrian Centre, where it is easy to police animals and people entering. I have begun to resent the veiled threats of - well you can run but if anything happens you cop it.. as I sit and see people hanging over the race track mounting yard fences.

My crystal ball tells me that the day after Emerites Stakes in the spring carnival. we will suddenly be told you can come out now. Sound cynical? the last few weeks have made me that way. If it was junior football so affected, help would be instantly at hand, but no we are looked on as "silvertails" and treated like kids.

Look at the suffering for the small businesses surrounding the sports.. the ribbon and sash people are ready to make a claim as they have had to put staff off, the horse photographers will be lining up at Centerlink.
Local saddleries have told me their sales are WAY down. Equitana's demise will break a lot of businesses that have bought and made products to market there. They cannot be expected to not be able to sell, or to be compensated.

If it's another three months before we can go out, the loud speaker and electricians that service shows each week, the likes of the Melbourne Showjumping club, who's main income is during the busy spring months, the motels, garages and many other small businesses in Werribee that benefit from the events there, the Centre itself, the people who collect the straw each month will all suffer, but who care.. .racing can go on.

All people who's income has just suddenly stopped. It's not just about people keeping their horses at home. Yet we have no acknowledgment, no support, no sympathy, and the constant "well you CAN hold events, BUT...."
We stand to lose four months of our sport, and I think we deserve better.

If next week's meeting decides we stay put it will be totally unfair. I think achievable conditions should be made and allowances that we are responsible sports people acknowledged.

If there ARE events on, I will totally support them.

One Frustrated Victorian.

PS; EFA, PCAV, HRCAV, VAS strongly recommend that their members refrain from conducting rallies, shows, events, clinics and other activities involving the gathering of horses during the month of September. The next review meeting is 25 Sept 2007.

Disinfection Procedures

Disinfection procedures for skin, clothes and equipmentInfected horses excrete huge quantities of Equine Influenza virus when they cough or sneeze. People who have been in contact with infected horses have been shown to be a source of spread.

The virus can survive on hard, non-porous surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel for up to 48 hours. It can survive on fabrics and skin for up to 12 hours or longer. It can be killed easily by cleaning and disinfection - you just need to be thorough.

When disinfecting yourself or equipment, make sure you pay extra attention to areas in the firing line of coughing, sneezing or snorting. Remove all snot and mucus!

Stables
Remember to scrub clean walls and ceilings as well as floors.
Yourself
Follow a rigorous scrub-in and scrub-out procedure when visiting horse properties, whether the horses are known to be infected or not.
Wear a protective overcoat or overalls when handling an infected horse. Single-use disposable overalls are preferable. Remove the overcoat or overalls after handling an infected horse. Discard as contaminated if disposable, otherwise launder before using again. If clothing is to be laundered, keep it on the infected property if possible. Laundering on-site reduces the risk of cross-contamination.
Blow your nose into a tissue and discard the tissue. Your own nose may be a source of contamination, so do this BEFORE you wash your hands.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap or detergent. That means every finger and under fingernails as well! Wash right up to the elbows and keep washing for at least two minutes.
If an infected horse snorts, coughs or sneezes in your face or hair you will need a thorough shower and hair wash (remember to blow your nose before showering and to disinfect glasses etc.).
Vehicles - trucks and floats
Remove manure and dirt from surfaces. For floats, clean walls and ceilings as well as floors.
Pay special attention to any surface that the horse can touch with its nose or which can be contaminated with snot or mucus.
Beware of bridles, feed bowls, troughs, lead ropes and twitches
This equipment can harbour snot and mucus.
Bridles should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Where possible, do not share bridles between horses and certainly don't share bridles between properties.
Feed bowls and troughs may be disinfected satisfactorily but lead ropes and rope twitches should be discarded if they have been used on an infected horse.
Recommended disinfectants for surfaces
Clean away all dirt and facial material with water and a household detergent, then spray with a disinfectant such as household bleach or citric acid. Read label directions and take recommended precautions when handling these disinfectants

Notable Horse Transport, “A Woolly Tale”.

Just about the worst thing to happen to a horse transport company is for a national equine standstill to be declared. Well, the worst has happened and Prue Jenkins, who bought Notable, the 20-year-old national horse transport company, based in Western Australia, 18 months ago, just had to cope.

“We certainly came to an abrupt halt a month ago, as we don’t do any local WA work. We have two trucks and they each do the Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and return trip each week. There is quite a bit of work and the trucks are usually full coming back to WA.

“With truck payments and overheads, we have had to turn out hand to other things and have actually been carting sheep. WA has always been very strict with its quarantine protocol as we are the only state that is free of ‘Liver Fluke’ (worms), which mainly affects cattle and sheep, but can also affect horses. The horses are inspected and tested at Pt Augusta and again at Kalgoorlie.

“I have been told there will be a meeting next Monday 24th to determine when the border will open. We have quite a backlog wanting to come out of Melbourne and Adelaide, so as soon as we get the go ahead we will be on the road”.

Good news has come sooner rather than later for Notable as at 1.40PM today it was announced that, “Western Australia will partially lift a ban on horses coming into the state”.

It is difficult to know whether this expedited opening of the WA border had anything to do with David and Linda Dobson’s lawyer “with political clout”. It is however good news for Notable.

“Horses from equine influenza free states will be permitted entry into WA as long as they meet strict entry conditions”, said WA Minister for Food and Agriculture, Kim Chance. “They will need to meet a number of criteria before leaving their state of origin, including an application for entry to WA and relevant permits, a period of isolation from any other horses and a veterinary inspection prior to loading for transport”. This only applies to EI free states and is also applicable to tack and semen.

Purple Zone

Click on the maps for larger versions.

Equine Influenza – Zoning Plan FAQ’s

1. What obligations do farms inside the purple zone have in regards to biosecurity or quarantine (whether EI positive or not)?

A: If your horse has or you suspect your horse has EI, there is a legal obligation toreport it to the NSW Department of Primary Industries. There will be no quarantinedproperties within the purple zone. Movement onto properties will be dependent uponBiosecurity requirements of the recipient property. People cannot take or remove anyhorse or horse products out of the purple zone and they must disinfect themselves andanything that has been in contact with horses or horse products before they can leavethe purple zone. A disinfection order will be published on 21.9.07 that must becomplied with.

2. What window of time is available for horses from outside the purple zone to enter the purple zone?

A: You can enter the purple zone until the 19th October 2007.

3. What is the likely period that horses coming into the purple zone will have tostay there?

A: It may be several months, and not before the area is declared free from EI.

4. Will stallions at the Eastern Creek Quarantine Station (ECQS) be allowed to come into the purple zone upon release by AQIS? It is believed that AQIS is prepared to release these stallions early next week to overseas destinations and into the purple zone.

A: The movement of stallions from ECQS will be approved subject to passing a riskassessment and a relevant permit being granted.

5. Will interstate mares booked to NSW stallions be allowed to come into the purple zone?

A: Yes, subject to requirements from their states of origin. The interstate owners willhave to be made aware that these mares will be detained indefinitely in the purplezone.

6. How will permits for movement into the purple zone work? Will you advise the name and contact details of dedicated DPI officers to handle “into purple zone” permit applications? It is essential that rapid turn-around occurs between application time and issue of permit.

A: Normal permitting arrangements will apply and these will be handled by the LocalDisease Control Centre. The relevant contact details are: (02) 4640 6567/8 or Fax 024640 6241.

7. Will mares currently located in “restricted areas” outside the purple zone be able to enter the purple zone? How will they have to be transported? For example, will fillies currently located at Randwick Racecourse but bound for stud duties this season be able to enter the purple zone for mating?

A: Yes. Movement will be subject to an approved permit issued by the Department ofPrimary Industries. All transport must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected beforeleaving the property and zone. All permit conditions must be adhered to.

8. From what date will horses be able to move?

A: Movement into the purple zone, subject to the granting of a permit, will be able tocommence from Friday 21st September 2007.

9. There is a Government-approved quarantine station in NSW which holds in foal or foaling mares. These mares have come into this facility from overseas and are vaccinated against EI and other diseases. As a vaccinated secure facility, will mares from there be able to walk into purple zone studs for service and return to the quarantine facilities to remain under strictquarantine conditions (irrespective as to the whether they are in the purplezone or not)?

A: Walk in / walk out will not be permitted across a Restricted Area or Special Restricted Area Border. Movements will only be allowed subject to the relevant permits.

10. What will be the position on biosecurity and quarantine for farms outside the purple zone that are infected by EI if they want to move into the purple zone? (i.e can a horse move from an IP in the red zone in to the purple zone?)

A: Requests in relation to this type of movement will be allowed subject to obtaining the relevant permit. Before a horse can move from an infected property in the red zone to the purple zone it must have been tested negative with the EI PCR in the last 3 days and certified clinically normal by a veterinarian prior to movement. Applications for permits should be made to the Local Disease Control Centre on (02) 4640 6567/8 or Fax 02 4640 6241. This will only be allowed until 19 October.

11. What rules apply to EI-free farms outside the purple zone? Can they deal freely with each other?

A: EI-free farms outside the purple zone are subject to different movement restrictionsdepending on the type of zones they are in and where they wish to move to. Horse owners should contact the Local Disease Control Centre on (02) 4640 6567/8 for their specific obligations

12. Do the movement rules in the purple zone apply to all horse breeds or just thoroughbred?

A: The purple zone will apply to ALL BREEDS.

13. Will other activities such as racing, camp-drafting, sales, shows etc., be able to be conducted within the purple zone?

A: Approval for such activities are subject to restrictions under the zone plan. Organisers must contact the Local Disease Control Centre on (02) 4640 6567/8 for their specific obligations. A disinfection order will be published on 21.9.07 that must be complied with.

14. What will the biosecurity measures be at the border of the purple zone for those trucks exiting the zone after delivering horses?

A: All trucks leaving the zone will need to exit by defined points in a clean state. All trucks must be disinfected prior to leaving the purple zone. (refer to question 1) All costs for inspections / disinfections must be borne by the owner.

15. Will you clarify the biosecurity arrangements for any people moving out of the purple zone.

A: People cannot take or remove any horse or horse products out of the purple zoneand they must disinfect themselves and anything that has been in contact with horsesor horse products before they can leave the purple zone. A disinfection order will bepublished on 21.9.07 that must be complied with.

Veterinary Advice on Transport of Horses into or within the declared Purple Zone during the current Equine Influenzaoutbreak, endorsed by the President of Equine VeterinariansAustralia

Equine Influenza is a viral respiratory disease that has the potential to lead to serious life threatening secondary complications particularly if horses are subjected to stresses during the incubation and/or clinical phases of the infection. Most importantly, there is a significant risk of affected horses developing travel sickness (pleuropeumonia).

Veterinary Advice re transport of horses· Pregnant mares should not be transported during the last 4 weeks of gestation.· Horses exhibiting clinical signs of Equine Influenza (nasal discharge, cough, high temperature) should not be transported (stressed).· It is recommended individual horses’ temperatures be monitored (twice daily) for the 48 hour period prior to transport.· During the current EI outbreak , transport of foals with their dams for ‘walk on’ coverings should be considered in light of the temperament of the mare, the clinical condition of the foal and the length of the proposed journey. Consideration should be given to leaving foals at home.

Advice on long distance travel:· Twice daily temperature monitoring for 48 hours prior to travel and minimum 72 hours post travel.· Pre plan all long distance travel to ensure rest stops at a maximum of 4 hours intervals (this will require checking with the NSW DPI, the route planned and the EI zones that will be transited).If in any doubt as to the advisability of travelling your horses, please consult your local veterinary surgeon.

Micro-chipped and Vaccinated.

In our endeavour to keep everyone informed about what is going on with the EI outbreak, we tracked down well-known pony breeder and exhibitor, Lisa Cleary, who we had heard had been given notification that her horses must be micro-chipped and vaccinated as part of the “back-burning operation”.

Lisa advised us that she had not heard anything officially from the DPI, however, her vet had advised her that she was probably part of the proposed buffer zone around Berry NSW.

“My vet, David Searle, told me today the Minister for Agriculture is currently in Canberra discussing where the buffer zones will be put in place and where the vaccination program will start. He also said that 50,000 vaccines were being flown in from France on Friday (Sept. 27th) and vaccinating would follow the following Monday and Tuesday in “hotspots”, at the owner’s expense.

“I have also heard that the escarpment would be used as the natural barrier of the buffer zone, and I asked a friend of mine who works at the DPI how they would find the horses that currently live there. He explained that they are using satellites to find the horses like google maps, “big brother is watching you”.

“David will know more on Monday after meetings over the weekend, so I will update you again when more information comes available.”

Review of EI Infection Moonbi

Having just discovered your site after 3 arduous weeks of hard work, I finally had the time to read the many comments from your forum, now that our 8 horses have passed through the EI Virus, I recognize the emotions, concerns and frustrations of so many of your readers.

We share a boundary with the Moonbi Sports Grounds, one of the sites placed under lockdown on August 25th with some 27 competitors and 38 horses after a major Dressage Competition. The minute word spread (midday Saturday) We moved our horses away from boundaries, rang our vet for information and waited for the DPI to include the Moonbi Community ( a very Horse intensive area) in their briefings. I do not wish to relate all the avenues we pursued,( even asking for permission, unsuccessfully I might add once we were infected, to attend the Daily Lockdown briefings ) but it suffices to say that it was extensive and to this Day we are yet to see a DPI representative at our property. Even after their Media Dept Spokesperson informed our Regional Newspaper that they had expected the surrounding horses to contract this highly infectious disease. I do not wish now to waste further energy on the Support given to a few with the majority of people placed in the EI Path having been completely left to fend for themselves, it serves no purpose. However if my following comments can help those of you in the path and yet to fall victim to the virus I hope some good can come from our experience.

In hindsight with the knowledge gained I would have pushed harder for a Community Meeting. Whether graced by the DPI or not. At this meeting I would have made these enquiries:

1. What Vets would be available to make calls to Quarantined Properties (we had one sole Vet who was calling on infected properties in the entire Tamworth District . (In our case we spoke regularly to our Vet by phone, running symptoms past him and had our prescribed treatments bought out to us parked outside his practise) If your horse is presenting a secondary infection you may not have the time to wait until a vet can get to you.

2. As we had to bring horses in from larger paddocks and handling was more intensive Feed requirements were increased. Check with Fodder Merchants. They were not allowed to deliver onto infected properties and were making drops over front fences. Stock pile feed if necessary as vehicles used around horses required permits to move. They were also filling the DPI 's order for the Sports Ground Lockdown, which we were told would create shortages on feed we regularly used. We found it necessary to pick up some sort of sweet feed and molasses to hide the taste of drugs administered.

3. Once Quarantined the delivery of Horse Bedding eg. wood shavings was halted. No trucks were allowed onto properties.

4. Your normal vehicle will need to be kept away from horses especially if you need to run in and out of work.

5. You will probably want to limit visits to town, especially with the BioSecurity and hygiene requests so shopping, prescriptions, necessities etc. would best be done in advance. We were so naive, thinking all our Hygiene and biosecurity was enough.

6. When paying for Horse Related items the $1500 Hardship Fund is available to some , however accounts must be unpaid and submitted for payment to Centrelink, you may need to open accounts with your suppliers. I still believe the Govt should allow people to pay their suppliers then claim these monies back at a later date, they are only compounding the hardship down the line. We chose to continue trading on a cash basis but these Govt Grants should be used, especially with the added financial costs not budgeted for by horse owners.

7. Obviously it goes without saying, disinfectant is required, Detol is quite satisfactory or something similar, we used a 20% solution, we had not received the Disinfectant pack or any signage as others have reported receiving. A Thermometer will assist with identifying early signs and your horses progress, Down Load the Temp chart from DPI site, (we used a white board at the stable block, easier to track horses progress at a glance)

8. Anti biotics and Bute were necessary to administer, there were shortages initially and fortunately we were able to source further requirements outside the area. I was also told afterwards that an Immune Boost injection could be given by your vet, but the horse required it at the very beginning and it was not cheap.

9. I guess it goes without saying, be very vigilant, our horses showed signs a day or so before any real symptoms were obvious. I noticed them camping up under trees or in corners of paddocks more than usual.

10. My next suggestion goes directly against the DPI directives, however by its very nature once Quarantined Property Owners are isolated within their community especially in the absence of the DPI. Try and get a network of others in your area before infection locks you in. At least you can compare situations and be there for each other, even if only by phone.

The Virus Hit us as it did most other property owners down our valley, traveling up to three kms in one morning (it was explained as traveling in an aerosol manner) there was nothing else for us to do but to hunker down and whether the storm. It has been a harrowing experience to say the least and I wish each and every one of you well.

I experienced enormous frustration and anger at the DPI as we were basically told they were not interested in testing our horses once we reported their infection. As the immediate area was already infected they were focusing their resources on cases being reported on the perimeters of the exclusion zones. I now realize that they are really only operating as Storm Chasers and do not have the funding or resources to provide any real support to those of us left in its wake. This does not help any of you I know, and personally I find it inexcusable that the Australian Equine Public has been treated so shabbily, I just hope that some where in the future this whole disaster brings a better response for, and awareness of, the value this Industry has within the Australian Economy.

Jenny - Moonbi NSW

Racing; Not A Leg Up For All.

There has been some controversy in the press between the racing and the ‘pleasure’ horse people, with the latter suggesting that the Thoroughbred industry can “walk on water”. Well not all racing people have God like powers as is attested by Moama Thoroughbred trainer, Darryl Archard, caught up in the bureaucracy of the situation, which demonstrates all the co-ordination of a chook with its head cut off.

“We have 10-11 horses in work, stabled in Moama NSW (with a Victorian telephone number). We do a lot of the slow work in the nearby pine forest and sand hills just down the road and do some of training and our fast work at Echuca Racecourse, ten minutes from here, but across the river in Victoria. At this present time we are stranded here and cannot even take the horses five kilometers up the road, let alone ten minutes across the river to Echuca. I have spoken to the DPI who put me on to the racing stewards and I am just told that rules are rules. However, this week they will allow horses from Albury to go to Wagga to race with the horses there and you will have horses and people mixing. Warwick Farm horses can go to race at Rose Hill and this week there are four race meetings in Brisbane. And I cannot get a permit to take my horses down the road to work them in a deserted forest. I am not asking to take them to the racecourse at Echuca, just five minutes down a country road in a Green Zone, but rules are rules.

“ We are going backwards at 100 miles an hour here. We can’t charge the owners, we can’t work the horses, we are completely hamstrung. I said to the (NSW Racing) stewards yesterday that I was prepared to run the gauntlet and work my horses and if it comes to a court case, I will fight it, as this situation is ridiculous and common sense is not prevailing. Surely the zones should take precedent over state boarders, and movement with permits permitted in the green zone? They said they would ring me back! I want to keep my horses fit enough so that when racing starts again they can be back into it quickly. If this current restriction continues, it will take months to get them racing fit again.

Just after our conversation with Darryl the NSW DPI website announced that as of 12pm on the 21st horses would, with permits, be allowed to move within the Green Zone, (but not across the border into Victoria, despite it being in the Green Zone). Horse Deals will contact Darryl in a couple of days to see how much closer he is to a ride in the forest.

PS
On the 20th of September the Victorian Chief Veterinary Officer, Hugh Miller announced, “owners found to have illegally moved horses into Victoria will be prosecuted and the horses may face destruction”! One cannot miss the irony here, as international racehorses can fly into Melbourne from EI endemic countries for the Cup after the minimum of quarantine, but will be ‘destroyed’ (possibly) if they drive across the Murray. The answer to poor Leica Falcon’s quest for the Melbourne Cup is to fly overseas and fly back into Melbourne.

NO ASSISTANCE

I'm with you Christine! I am one of the lucky ones, well, at least I think so. Suburban Sydney, isolated from everyone, and yet no information or help whatsoever from the DPI. They are a bunch of fisheries workers brought in to supposedly "assist" with this outbreak, and yet they would be better off wearing a white coat and pushing a broom. They have no idea what the hell they are talking about, and try to lay the law down to us ! The police are just as bad - the dealing I've had with them over the past two weeks is hilarious! BUT what is getting under my skins is how everyone is so worried about the "poor" racehorses - well, WHO CARES !

What about Bankstown Trotting , Warwick farm races, and Rosehill trainers having to cross major arterial roads to work their "poor" horses? Oh, I feel so sorry for them - what about my FIVE 16hh horses, that are in their yards, and stables, and I have my work area off the premises? I can't move! Gee how funny that it's One rule for the so-called registered trainers, and one rule for everyone else - regardless of their 35 years of horse training! I had to submit 4 vet certificates - and yet these buggers never submitted a damn thing - you tell me the Government is doing everything they can - What a load of horse poo ! All they are waiting for is the Melbourne Cup to be over and run, and we will all be able to move - again oh, my heart bleeds for those poor starving trainers !
Julie

Country Racing and EI Bio-Security

Country Racing was up and running yesterday, with fields well supported and Bio-Security measures in place. This small club with a great support group were pleased to hold it's first race meeting since the outbreak of EI.

Great expense was involved for the Club (security, fencing, disinfectants etc.), however they felt they needed to support the Trainers and owners during this time and believe that they can have all the measures in place required by PIRSA.

The race meeting was ran as per usual however Head Stewards from Adelaide were on-course plus PIRSA representatives to ensure that the guidelines were met, one nominated Thoroughbred was refused entry as it was accompanied by a companion Pony and sent home (Pony was not approved by the Permit system).

Change of saddlecloths and disinfectant between races were required and the general public was kept away from the horses by bunting. Unfortunatley with these measures in place it is difficult for Trainers and Strappers to confer with the racing public who like to get a few tips from the racing fraternity on the Form.

Thoroughbred Racing SA www.trsa.com.au provides information on EI to trainers, jockeys etc. (last EI update was on the 04/09/07)

Bio-Security measures on course

They Just Get Worse

I just contacted the QLD DPI to find out about our permit application to move a horse for mustering. We made the application 2 days ago and have not even been told they have received it. We are in are very isolated area and only need to move the horse across a no thru road between two properties belonging to the same person. Absolutely no threat of spreading EI, we know of no cases in our shire which is very big and we are on the far northern boundary.... people a short distance away can do the same thing without any drama. I learned nothing from this call about our permit and we just have to wait.

But I made a comment to the operator that if it was a racehorse things would be happening.....WELL she told me that Queensland Racing is handling permits for racehorses.......So I imagine that it is no problem to take a racehorse any where you like!!!!!!!!!!

Christine

No Response From DPI

I am reading and hearing about so many horse owners who have EI and have had no assistance from the DPI. I think it is about time everyone involved... Not just the racehorse owners.... contacted the Press.
So many people are being affected by this outbreak, they are doing the right thing and just being ingored.

If everyone starts jumping up and down and making a noise about it maybe the government will pay some attention. They are usually more worried about what is in the media than anything else.

So everyone.... CONTACT YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER.... with your story.
Call all the TV stations. I am sick of the government and the media thinking this thing is only affecting the racehorse industry.

Christine

Tests to see if Parkes horses can be moved

The first round of tests will be carried out on horses in lockdown today at Parkes, in central western New South Wales, to determine whether they may finally be allowed to move from the showground.

Read the full story.

Fears surround public horse race.
Some horse trainers fear tomorrow's first open race meeting at Sydney's Rosehill Racecourse since the equine flu outbreak could threaten attempts to contain the disease.

Read the full report.

All You Need to Know About The Purple Zone

Tara Madgwick
Friday, September 21, 2007

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia have issued a media release detailing the many anticipated questions regarding movement within and into the 'Purple Zone' as of 12 noon on Friday September 21.

Equine Influenza – Zoning Plan FAQ’s

Read all the answers!

Vaccination pledge ends ban threat

THE threat of a boycott from Sydney trainers at tomorrow's Rosehill meeting was averted yesterday after Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'Landys gained an assurance from the Federal and State Governments that vaccination of thoroughbreds in NSW would start early next week.

Read the full story.

Equine Influenza, Tamborine

The situation here is nothing short of a joke, I have followed the guidelines all the way through, kept my horses away from fence lines, not visited other properties, not allowed visitors, disinfected , etc. at the moment I have 7 horses, 1 stuck out on a agistment block, 1 stuck at my local pony club grounds, 5 at home, 2 of which are not mine. I had them sold just before the standstill but no money was paid over at that point so the sales have fallen through. I have registered my horses with the dpi, as asked. I am still waiting to receive the promised up dates.

I was led to believe from talking to the dpi and studying their website, that the dpi would monitor properties surrounding a suspected outbreak and keep a check on the horses, so feeling sorry for my horses who by now are very sick of being confined,( I have 2 of the ponies living in a chook pen for Christ sakes!) and not having heard from the dpi, I assumed it would be safe to relax a little, I let my horses out for a pick on the 9th. On the 14th, they looked off colour, in the afternoon picking my kids up from school I ran into a lady who works at the stud across from me, just casually I asked her how the horses were holding up, Oh great was the reply they have almost all had it and they are recovering well.

I drove home double checked mine who by now had temps, snotty noses and a cough and sneeze, so I rang the dpI. this is still on the 14th, and told them that yes I had it, 3 out the 5 were sick, they said a vet would call to arrange to come and view them and take samples. By Sunday the 9th they all were sick.

On Monday I had a phone call from the dpI to tell me that a property near me was quarantined, they couldn't tell me which one but I would see the signs, do I have horses? How many and is there anything else I can do for you? Yes, I have horses and not only are they registered with you but I have also reported that they now have it and yes you could have told me I had a suspected property near me 2 weeks ago instead of telling me it was quarantined today!!

Is this what they mean by monitoring surrounding properties? What a joke!

Tomorrow is the 21st, my horses have been reported with EI now for seven days and the dpi has not been in contact regarding them, they are all on there way to recovering and I am following all of the procedures, but my point is this, why wasn't I put into temporary quarantine straight away pending the tests, and as bad as it is, why do I still know nothing more, they should tell us to make up a sign and put it up, temporary quarantine, suspected EI the governments can send every household election campaign brochures both state, federal and even local council, we should have all had one about this flu. They could of included a sign incase we needed it, ok everyone doesn't own a horse, but everyone needs to know about this outbreak, so we don't have the people pulling up outside fences to pat the pretty ponies, they are not keeping up, but our new community information centre has three desk staff and two vets, why are they not out testing. I was going to cancel our holidays next week, but my horses are ok and I couldn't be bothered now about waiting for the dpi to test them, they will be well by the time they arrive, they have no chance of stopping this as all they are doing is following it and colouring in the property lots on the map.

And here is a cost no one has thought about, my horses have been locked away from my dam since the standstill and have been getting tank water, 30 litres a day times 5 horses, 150 litres a day, I hope they pay for my next load of water!!

Glynis

EI at Thagoona QLD

Just an update on our situation here at Thagoona. We rang the DPI on Tues afternoon to let them know we thought we had EI. We missed a call back from them Wed afternoon but got one Thu afternoon. In the mean time I had gone to Rosewood and asked the info centre there what I should do. The response I got was to assume we had EI and treat the property as if we were quarantined. We now do the decontamination thing as we leave the property. As the house is at the front of the property and we do not drive into or past any horses, the decontamination process is not very arduous. We are doing more clothes washing, but it is really no big deal.

When I spoke to the DPI this arvo (Thu), they advised me that our place was inside the known area of infection. They told me that they were more focussed on the outer area of the infected properties and therefore would probably not send an inspector. I was then asked if I was decontaminating etc. I told them what I was doing and they were pleased that I was actually trying to stop the spread of the disease.

The people I spoke to sounded like they were getting weary of people expecting them to force those who had the infection to take some preventative measures. Like I said the other day, don't blame the DPI, they are trying to prevent the spread of the problem with a staffing level that has been reduced by the state govt.

The disease has moved from Rosewood through Thagoona and into Walloon in less than a week. I see the quarantine signs increase every day. Amberley, Willowbank and Yamanto horse owners should be getting their decontamination stuff now, not waiting for an understaffed DPI to come knocking on the door.

As a footnote, the DPI also advised that it would probably be very difficult to find a Vet prepared to come and look at my horses if they needed treatment as Vets were reluctant to visit infected properties as they too wanted to reduce the spread of EI.

We are fortunate the we only have 5 horses and all between 2.5 and 10 years old so our chance of a death is extremely low.

What we do now at our place is to continue our current biosecurity procedures and wait until the infection in the area has passed. Hopefully we are doing enough so that we personally will not contribute to the spread of the disease.

Jeff