Horse flu scare at Perth Royal show

A horse with a runny nose has prompted an equine influenza scare at the Perth Royal Show.

The Royal Agricultural Society says all horses brought to the Claremont Showgrounds were inspected this morning.

The horse and two others near it were removed from the show.

Blood has been taken from the animals and is being tested for the virus.

The society says its been told it is highly unlikely the horse has equine flu but it is not taking any chances.

Horse Sale In Rockhampton!!!!

Just read the comment a few days ago about the sale going ahead in Rockhampton. That is really great BUT we have horses nominated for this sale. Fees paid. Horses yarded getting fed and prepared to go. $$$$$ BUT we do not know and no one can tell us if we are able to take them. It appears we are expected to keep preparing them, hand feeding them and making plans to take them the 600 km to this sale BECAUSE we cannot get any answer from the DPI. We are in a very isolated area at the far northern extreme of the RED zone, our horses have been nowhere and have no contact and we consider they are absolutely no threat of catching or spreading EI. On the day of the shut down we decided that we would not allow anyone near our horses, in effect, started our own quarantine. We have spoken to DPI asking if our actions can be taken into account and consideration with regard to our moving them on 7 Nov for this sale.... DPI can tell us nothing!!!

Also we have made application for a permit to move a horse across a no thru road out here near "the back of nowhere" for mustering between to properties. That is an even bigger laugh because after chasing them and complaining we got a call from DPI to say YES we had our permit. They where to email it to us. Well we checked email from Sunday thru to Wed morning and no permit. So we just did the job we had to do, got too busy to check email until today. And unbelievabley there today is an email from DPI saying that they could not open our application for a permit.

IT IS A BLOODY JOKE..... NO IT IS BEYOND THAT...WHAT IF THIS WAS FOOT AND MOUTH.... OR BIRD FLU......AUSTRALIA IS HISTORY

PULL THE PLUG AND LET US SINK

Christine

FIRST VACINATIONS IN QLD

JUST READ ON THE NEWS.... VACINATIONS STARTED TODAY AT GOLD COAST, IPSWICH AND TOOWOOMBA RACETRACKS. SO, HAVE A LOOK AT THE DPI MAP WITH THE VACINATION BUFFER ZONE...THAT IS THE YELLOW PART.. AM I DUMB OR WHAT. NONE OF THESE PLACES ARE IN THAT YELLOW BUFFER AREA. NO WONDER WE GOT PROBLEMS IN QUEENSLAND, THEY CAN'T EVEN FOLLOW A MAP.

CHRISTINE

The "fun" of staying at home with our horses is running out fast!

How much longer are those of us who have competition/performance horses, who don't have the flu, expected to stay home? I know we have to let it run it's course, and by the sounds of things, sit back and watch the racing industry get all the help they need.

I live in an area where we seem to be boxed in by those other areas eg Warwick, Rosewood, that do have the outbreak. It is like being "...surrounded by the enemy", as one DPI officer said to me regarding my area.

Help

Can anyone else see what is going on in Victoria with the EI situation. It looks like to me we (the government) is going to keep the state clean for the Melbourne cup well there is a surprise.

I own a couple of show horse that should have done about twenty five to thirty shows this year ,I put in a lot of time and effort to make sure they are ready and looking the best they possibly can. Like so many other people I know this is very heartbreaking to us but the state government and the DPI could not care less because we are just recreational horse owners mind you we are keeping the economy running while doing this but needless to say unless your horse is a top notch race horse they don’t give a damm.

Can anyone tell me why we are not able to immunise our horses and ponies like the racing industry is .My horses are just as valuable as anything that races what makes them so special. So if this is a free country where are our vaccinations. Why do we have to wait and see? We all know that it was the racing industries greed that brought EI into Australia.

My heart goes out to everyone in Australia that owns a recreational horse just keep your chin we have done nothing wrong and it is by no means our fault. Just keep feeding them and putting our millions of dollars every year into the economy making sure we all stay at home (by cancelling shows) while the racing industry is planning for the Melbourne cup.

Good luck to anyone who takes on and trys to get compensation from this government

Thankyou and I hope all our animals make it through

Linda Jackson

Qld DPI 29/09/07

Saturday 29 September: There are currently 440 infected properties in Queensland. Equine Influenza is still contained to the Red Zone in the State's South East. Vaccination, as part of DPI&F program of containment and eradication starts today.

Better human hygiene needed to wipe out EI

The need for strict biosecurity around horses has been highlighted by poor human hygiene causing some of the spread of equine influenza (EI) to unexpected locations.

Biosecurity Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer Ron Glanville said strict biosecurity was essential for every person coming into contact with horses.

"The best advice is that people keep their horses isolated from any outside visitors and avoid visiting other properties with horses," he said.

"If contact with horses on more than one property is essential, then the person involved needs to follow simple personal hygiene guidelines."

People visiting other properties or venues with horses should shower, wash their hair, blow their noses and put on clean clothes and shoes before they enter a new site.

EI is easily destroyed by thorough cleaning and disinfection with household detergent, soap, bleach or citric acid.

On-farm biosecurity and disinfection information is available at the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries website

NSW Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Steve Dunn

NSW Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Steve Dunn discusses latest developments in Equine Influenza control program. Topics include the the arrival of the vaccine into Australia and the vaccination program, the recommencement of country racing in Ballina and Wagga Wagga, the importance of good biosecurity practices to stop the spread of the disease.

Audio link

NSW DPI 29/09/07

This morning the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) deployed veterinary vaccination teams south of Sydney to vaccinate almost 300 horses as part of the southern buffer zone near Mittagong.

“Ponies, donkeys, miniature horses and companion horses are part of the first wave of animals vaccinated north of Mittagong today,” NSW DPI deputy chief veterinary officer, Steve Dunn, said today.

“This is part of our plan to create a wall of immunity to prevent the disease creeping out into unaffected regions.”

To create the southern buffer the NSW DPI has:

• Ground truthed horse properties and horse numbers;
• Allocated supplies of horse flu vaccine;
• Assembled expert veterinary teams; and
• Implemented strict biosecurity policies for teams to operate by.

“There has been strong support from each and every horse owner contacted by the NSW DPI about the vaccination of their horses in the buffer,” Mr Dunn said.

“Owners are aware that their horses will be identified by micro-chip and also tested for EI as a precautionary measure.”

Mr Dunn said the State’s horse owners needed to understand that vaccine would NOT be made available widely.

“From the outset we have made it absolutely clear that there will not be a free-for-all when it comes to this vaccine,” he said.

“We are using it strategically and with precision to prevent the spread of the disease from known infection sites.”

“Coupled with zoning arrangements now in place across NSW, the EI control and eradication campaign still hinges on vigilance from horse owners and the general community.”

NSW DPI - About the vaccine

Note: If your horses are being vaccinated, you will receive an information sheet from the vet which lists the conditions of use for the vaccine and the possible adverse reactions listed below.

The vaccine being used is a live vaccine, ProteqFlu TE, imported into Australia from the manufacturers Merial Laboratory in France.

Each horse requires two primary doses of the vaccine two to six weeks apart. There is reported to be good immunity 14 days after a single dose, with the follow-up dose designed to extend the period of immunity. A booster dose is given five months later. After the booster dose, the vaccine provides protection for one year.

Before the horse is vaccinated, a microchip is inserted (if the horse is not already microchipped), so that every vaccinated horse can be identified and traced.

Adverse reactions are unlikely, but the following reactions to the vaccine have been observed overseas:

• A swelling (up to 5 cm in diameter and lasting up to four days) may occur at the injection site.
• Pain and heat can be associated with the injection site in rare cases.
  
• There may be a slight rise in the horse’s temperature (up to 1.5 °C) for one, or exceptionally two, days.
• In exceptional circumstances the horse may be depressed and listless with a reduced appetite on the day after vaccination.
• In exceptional circumstances a hypersensitivity reaction may occur. This may require appropriate symptomatic treatment by a vet.

See the vaccination FAQs for more information.

Horse flu outbreak suspected at Condell Park

The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries is investigating another outbreak of horse flu, this time at the Condell Park trotting stables, in Sydney's south west.
The vaccination program for the horses stabled there has been postponed, after eight horses tested positive for the equine virus last night.

Read more.

Horse on loose amid flu restrictions

There are concerns about a horse that has disappeared from a property in Victoria.
The owner, Janice Fowler, says the grey and white horse bolted from the Loch Sport property in the state's east two days ago.
She is pleading for help to find him, and says he should not be on the loose with the restrictions the equine influenza outbreak in other states has placed on horses.
"All gymkhanas and horse organisations' items have been cancelled till after Christmas, so they don't want horses moving around," she said.
"It's most important that we find him immediately."

Letter to Qld Ministers

Dear Mr Fraser (& Ms Bligh , Mr Horan)

It is with interest that I watched the ABC program last night. Whilst I have empathy for the people in the racing industry who have been directly effected I think it is important that you consider some other issues from the non racing industry.

Sure they have some losses, but racing and therefore gambling is still going ahead, therefore revenue to the industry. As long as there is racing somewhere, gamblers will continue to bet, it would be interesting to see just how much the TAB revenue is down, I expect not by too much!! The only thing I can see it effecting is punters who would normally attend one of the effected race meetings, but they can still go to the TAB office and bet on another race somewhere. This is in total contrast to people outside the racing industry, who's whole livelihood has stopped and will continue to do so for many months. The media and government must move some of the emphasis away from racing and onto the rest of the industry, before it creates too large a rift

There are many people who are suffering really badly, we ourselves run a small riding school, and have had no income since Aug 26th, many other people are in the same position. Local saddlery shops are down 70% on revenue, water carriers, transport companies etc are amongst many businesses that have been hit. This is on top of a long drought pushing feed prices up, increase in interest rates, food a fuel costs. For many people this will be the final straw.
We accept that we will contract EI,but are very angry on the way this whole outbreak has been handled. We could accept it somewhat if there was a plan in place other than to make most of the industry an acceptable casualty of this war.

Just a small point, but is it possible that the reason the racing industry is getting preferential treatment is that the Minister responsible for the DPI is the same Minister that is responsible for the racing industry, a certain Mr Horan !! Conflict of interest???

If it is economic drivers that is effecting your decision making process, then please look closely at the figures, and you will see that the racing industry is worth only about half of the approx $9 billion that the equine industry as a whole to the Australian economy.

What is more important to you, whole communities, or an industry based solely on gambling. Communities such as ours are suffering, both economically and socially. There is anger and division,which will evolve at some point in the future to a mass public protest. The only thng that is holding this back at the moment is that most horse owners (unlike some racing trainers and the Gold Coast Turf Club) and following biosecurity recommendations and are not mixing with other horse owners.

I understand that the reason that this outbreak is here in the first place is the responsibility of the federal government, how the outbreak is handled will effect the reputation of the State government, and could easily flow on to anger at the Labour Party as a whole during this election year.

All we are asking is what is deemed to be a core Australian value of a fair go. Treat us at least as equals before public anger turns towards you and the racing industry.

Yours Sincerely
Stuart Myers

Cost to racing industry???

Just a thought, just what is the cost of this outbreak to the racingindustry? Sure they have some losses, but racing and thereforegambling is still going ahead. As long as there is racing somewhere,gamblers will continue to bet, it would be interesting to see justhow much the TAB revenue is down, I expect not by too much!! The onlything I can see it effecting is punters who would normally attend oneof the effected race meetings, but they can still go to the TABoffice and bet on another race somewhere. This is in total contrastto people outside the racing industry, who's whole livelihood hasstopped and will continue to do so for many months. The media andgovernment must move some of the emphasis away from racing and ontothe rest of the industry, before it creates to large a rift.

Merlin is out too!

Along with the two pony stallions, Merlin my event horse was also released from quarantine this week. It is a huge relief to know that he is now at least able to mooch around a paddock and have some space. I cannot thank Helen Chugg enough or Joan Bell. Joan was fantastic organising a place for him there as being new to Australia I didn't know where to start looking. She has been a great help and support over the last couple of weeks, so a huge thanks to Horse Deals too as without them I would never have spoken to her.

I spoke to Helen and although he looks more like a fat hairy pony than an event horse, he appears none the worse for his ordeal. He has been vaccinated since a foal and so never had any symptoms!! I hope to get up to see him soon though it will be hard to come home without him. Who knows how long it will be before I open the curtains to see him mooching round my fields.

This is a terrible time for the horse world in Australia and I hope that for everyone involved big or small that it can be resolved soon. These viruses be it EF, Foot and Mouth or even the awful Blue Tongue now plaguing the UK, are here to stay and governments and vets need to work together and put effective strategies together to manage them when they occur, as they inevitably will!

Good Luck!

Ruth

Ausvet plan for EI

If you haven't seen the Ausvet plan of response for EI I suggest you take the time to havea good look. It sure makes for some interesting reading. I suggest you read the glossary firststarting on page 56 and make sure you include the Abbreviations on page 64. Then tackle the rest . After reading it i sure would like some answers from the CVO as to whether they have been placed under pressure from other parties or they are making descisions based on science and practicle response for the control and eradication of EI. I think once again that the dollar rules at the expense of better containment and control of this outbreak. The buffer zone vacine has to get precidence over all other parties and the move to supply vacine to the Victorian racing community above the expansion and treatment of those in the buffer zones may yet prove disasterous.

Below is a link to the appropriate site.

http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/shadomx/apps/fms/fmsdownload.cfm?file_uuid=955FA5A8-C0D0-9FAC-3E32-33DC206BDC68&siteName=aahc


Max

Here is another link to find the Ausvetplan for EI . The earlier link direct to the plan seems to not

be reliable.

Max

http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/programs/eadp/ausvetplan_home.cfm

Re Equine Influenza

This is getting ridiculous what is happening to the stringent laws on moving horse when on Thursday QUOTE a Sydney harness-racing trainer last night,with rivals believing he may have spread the virus to BANKSTOWN"S horse population. The trainers believe the person in question had broken QUARANTINE and travelled to Royal Randwick last Thursday to drive a sick THOROUGHBRED to the vet before returning to his property that night. While vet samples were expected to be returned today, several horses had developed a high temperature by last night Stewards said yesterday up to 20 ANGRY TRAINERS went to his Condell Park property at 8am demanding to speak to him. Once again how closely is this been watched when there is suppose to be NO MOVEMENT ON HORSE are these rules for some and not for others.
Thanks Jenny

Horse flu inquiry calls for witnesses.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/

PUBLIC hearings into how the highly contagious equine influenza virus entered and spread through Australia will begin in Sydney next week, six weeks after the flu was detected.
The first consignment of horse flu vaccines arrived in Sydney last night and vaccinations of horses across three states would begin this afternoon, Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran said yesterday.
The 20,000 doses will be sent to control centres in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
"As many high-value horses at risk will receive priority for vaccination," Mr McGauran said. "The first Victorian horses to be vaccinated will be entrants in the Spring Racing Carnival."

Read more.

The Traveling Dobsons

The latest news regarding David and Linda Dobson’s efforts to make it home to Perth finds them quite a bit closer at Kalgoorlie, where the truck will be sprayed and vet inspections made etc. They then proceed to Perth at which time the horses must remain in quarantine for a further six days. They hope to get home in time for the Patrons Cup weekend at Brigadoon from 5th - 7th October.

Meanwhile, Shaun Squire and South Australian rider, Anthony Thomas have been given to go ahead to head across the Nullabour with nine horses. They set off at midnight on the 28th. Shaun and Anthony have taken advantage of the window of opportunity, which if the WA Jockey Club and Thoroughbred Breeders have their way, will be very brief, as they want the border to remain closed.

Racing interests and the DPI worked with the horse section of Perth Royal Show to put in place bio-security measures to enable the horse events to safely contine. Perth Royal Chief Horse Steward, Merilyn Gollan outlined these bio-security measures adopted for the show.

Every horse is visually vet checked on arrival and exhibitors asked if temperatures have been taken regularly.

No gear is allowed in until the horse has been inspected.

Green armbands issued to people allowed into the horse area and entry prohibited without the armband.

No interstate horses allowed

Interstate riders must sign a declaration that they have not been near a horse for 48 hours before arriving at the show.

Mrs. Gollan commented that everyone has been very understanding.
It has also been noted on the first day of the show that quite a few exhibitors have not presented.

The Wisdon Of Solomon

Rather like ancient King Solomon, Shane Rose is able to see both sides of an argument, certainly when it comes to the EI outbreak at least. The popular international eventing rider, who this time last year was still celebrating his third place at the Burghley Four Star Three Day Event in England riding All Luck, also operates the Thoroughbred, breaking, pre training and spelling farm, Bimbadeen Park at Picton In NSW.

At the time of writing, All Luck is still quarantined at Warwick and Shane’s Olympic Test event horse. Stratford Novalis remains in Hong Kong. Shane is a serious contender for the Olympic Team with All Luck, but of course the longer the horse remains at Warwick, fitness issues aside, the greater chance he has of being injured. Yet on the other hand his business depends on the Thoroughbred industry.

“I can see both sides of the situation. My business is reliant on the racing industry staying operative and I think the current vaccination programme is a step in the right direction for us all, but to be really effective, all horses must be vaccinated. I have 69 horses on the place at the moment and we are preparing 31 of them to be vaccinated this weekend. All pre trainers and spelling racehorses are to be vaccinated and if not already microchiped (all racehorses as of 2005 are microchiped) that done as well. I have about 25 eventers here which are not being vaccinated at this point, however there is the possibility via the NSW EFA that certain of them will receive vaccination”.

We asked Shane to explain the vaccination programme. “As far as I understand, all racehorses (excluding retired stock) in the Purple and Red Zones and which do not have EI will be vaccinated, and all horses, donkeys etc vaccinated in the buffer zone”.

What news of your horses still at Warwick?

Still no news as to when they can leave. There was to be a meeting last night, but nothing further was added to what we already know (or don’t know)”.

Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay

Laurie Lever might just as well be “sitting on the dock of the bay watching the tide roll away”, as the outbreak of EI in NSW and Queensland has stopped his plans dead in their tracks.

If you have not heard of Laurie Lever and Ashleigh Drossel Dan, then you have no interest in domestic showjumping whatsoever and indeed are probably not much interested in Olympic discipline equestrian sport in Australia. To say that the big grey, bred in Australia from European parents by Colin and Judy Gronn, is the best showjumping horse in the country at the moment is a statement that would not invoke any argument. Based at Somerville in Victoria, where Laurie and family have the successful Treehaven Equestrian Centre, it would seem that he was far away from the infected zonal worries up north. But as has been declared time and time again, this EI outbreak is devastating and its repercussions far reaching.

With his sights firmly set on the Olympic Games in Hong Kong in August 2008, Laurie’s plans were to campaign Dan on the domestic World Cup circuit and if eligible take Drossel Dan to the World Cup Final in Sweden next April. After just two east coast qualifiers at Toowoomba (won by Laurie and Dan) and Brisbane Royal, it looks as if the remainder of the season will be cancelled. There are two qualifiers in WA at Perth and Brigadoon, but they will be purely academic in nature now. Pacific League World Cup Director, Susan Ryan is in conference with the FEI as to what the situation will be regarding an Australian presence at the World Final. At this point the outcome is not known.

So what now for Laurie and Dan? “My plan now is to take him overseas as soon as I can and compete on the German National Indoor Circuit, to get some good experience indoors in the hope of maybe going to the World Final. I will be based with (Australian Showjumping Team Advisor) Gilbert Brockman. The problem at the moment is getting the vaccination to be able to leave the country. Dan will be incorporated with the EFA elite horse vaccination, but as I will be away for so long I would like to take La Laina as well, and getting vaccination for her is proving difficult. AQIS tell me I don’t need vaccination to take the horses over to Europe, but of course if I want to compete, they have to be vaccinated. Another problem is at the moment the routes to Europe are closed (due to our EI outbreak) unless I want to go via NZ and the USA, which will add another eight thousand dollars to the trip. So I am just sitting on my hands waiting to hear from the shippers.

“The horses are well and Dan is getting a lot of dressage work at the moment, which will do him good. My (broken) foot is much better and I am only limping a little. The doctors told me not to go to Elysian and Toowoomba as the foot needed to be plated. But I feel this will be the last crack I will have at the Olympic Games and I will have a lot more arthritis than just in my foot as I get older. I am not looking forward to the European winter though.

“Even in Victoria the affects of the EI outbreak are impacting on the livelihood of everyone associated with horses and it is disappointing that the emphasis is purely on the racehorse, with the so called “pleasure horse” of no consequence”.

There is an often-held discussion as to whether it is better to have your best horse at the begging of your career or at the end. Surely the end is better as you are a more knowing rider, have a wealth of experience and really appreciate what you are sitting on. But no doubt the debate still goes on. Whatever the case, Laurie is closer to the end of his career than the beginning. Let’s hope he realises his dream. Horse Deals will keep you posted regarding his travel arrangements.

Vaccinations to start Sunday

VICTORIA will receive sufficient vaccinations for equine influenza (EI) within 10 days for an inoculation program to cover all horses currently in work at training centres across the state.

The distribution of the vaccines to veterinarians will start on Sunday and be progressively rolled out over the next 10 days.

Racing Victoria Ltd (RVL) chief executive Stephen Allanson today thanked the federal government and the Department of Primary Industries for their consideration.

---

• Special report: Racing in crisis

Read more.

Vaccination program finally up and running

Australia’s equine influenza inoculation program started at Sydney’s Rosehill racetrack late on Friday – 10 hours behind schedule because of bio-security red-tape..

In an industry in dire financial trouble, the delay in the vaccination of Rosehill’s horse population only added to its monetary woes, according to Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’Landys.

Read more.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

The sight of my Waler Brumby breaks my heart.

The vets bills are mounting up.

I will not receive any financial help from the goverment.

WHY im only a hobby horse owner!!!!!!!

Mistysrun

(MUSWELLBROOK N.S.W)

Has anyone thought about items being posted interstate?

Hi,

I buy and sell on eBay and was wondering whether any thought has been given to horse related items being bought and sold on eBay and being posted from NSW and Qld to other states. If this virus can be spread on items of clothing etc., and there is a ban on horse-related items being transferred to other states, shouldn't this include items posted in the mail? Should eBay ban listings for horse-related items? Even if the item hasn't been in contact with a horse, the owner/handler of the item might possibly have been and therefore is possibly sending an item that may be infected with the virus? There are hundreds of horse items on eBay.

Liz Hudson

DPI Representative Rings Me

Well yesterday I had a phone call from a DPI representative to talk to me about my concerns that I have posted previously on this Blog.

I was told that the racehorses are being vaccinated with a type of 'small pox' injection which will immune them from the EI strain that we have here and more, though they may have to given another 3 needles to be sure of eradication status. That way the racing industry can return to doing what they do best...Racing. And it wasn't free it was being funded by Racing Australia, you know the poor equine group!

So I asked the obvious,"If the owners are willing to do so, why can't all the horses in the red,amber,and purple zone that has not yet been infected with the disease, be vaccinated, so we can avoid the large vet bills and the complications that this disease brings with it and we to can get back into what we do best.

I was then told that then we would have to vaccinate the whole of Australia and we don't want to do that as we want to eradicate the disease.Mmmmm

So I repeated myself. Yes same question. And I was told it wouldn't work as you would have to vaccinate every year. 'But we vaccinate anyway for strangles and tetanus every year, and yes we still get those 2 diseases but mostly only the non-vaccinated horses and didn't you just say that the racehorses may only need 3 more needles as Australia would be rid of the disease? I vaccinated for it when I trained and worked for 2 years overseas.

Unfortunately the helpful representative had to go. They are trying there best. I think it was lunch time.

AND ERADICATE the disease can anyone promise me it won't escape into Australia again?? NO

Racing industry does have a BIG push you know!

How did it get in Australia in the first place?

What multi million dollar stallion for what multi million dollar mare???

And what about next time this happens????? I guess we will just shut down for another 12 months!!

Oh yes I want my Industry and my horses safe for NEXT TIME!

Summary: I am more confused, disheartened depressed and very concerned.

Mmmmmm why do think the racing industry is vaccinating for? Believe me not to hydrate the horses with some extra liquids BUT to IMMUNE their horses of the disease so they can return to business. I'm starting to think that RACING thoroughbreds are a different genetic species who morph into to non-racing thoroughbreds. And what about the other equestrian breeds?

Are you willing to vaccinate? They do overseas to eradicate.

Checkout www.equiflunet.org.uk

Tracy Stead Equestrian Services

Qld Equine Influenza Update No 15 (Friday 28th September 2007)

Assistance available to people adversely affected by equine influenza

An immediate $20 million State Government assistance package is operational for all Queenslanders whose livelihoods are affected by the equine influenza outbreak, Premier Anna Bligh said today. Ms Bligh urged anyone suffering hardship to immediately contact the Equine Influenza helpline (13 25 23) or to visit the Government’s assistance centres across the affected “Red Zone”. A mobile one-stop shop also would be dispatched to areas in need. She said a one-stop shop opened this morning in Hamilton, in Brisbane’s racing precinct, to offer a wide range of help to people affected by the outbreak. It will complement the services available at Warwick, Goondiwindi, Mt Tamborine, Rosewood and Brookfield that provide advice on containment. The Government is set to expand the network of one-stop shops to other hot-spots. The immediate $20 million State Government assistance package includes: • An initial $5million to provide one-off payments for individuals and families of up to $155 for individuals and $750 for families. • $10 million to help struggling businesses meet interest payments on new or existing loans. Up to $5000 is available in dollar-for-dollar subsidies. • A $5 million recovery package to help the horse industry retain skilled employees and get back on their feet after the influenza outbreak. View full media release

View information about the assistance package