Summary - 1:00pm 28 August, 2007
A total of six police horses at Redfern Police Depot have tested positive to the flu and are now under quarantine. This means that these mounted horses can not be moved from the centre for up to two months.
Last night a State Government taskforce was established to ensure support services in place to help affected horse owners cope with the impact of quarantine and movement restrictions. Through this taskforce Department of Community Services, NSW Health, Ministry of Transport, Department of Local Government and NSW Gaming and Racing are complementing the massive efforts of the Department and NSW Police.
The NSW Government has also agreed to help meet the costs associated with providing feed and any emergency veterinary services to horses affected by movement restrictions. The emergency management support staff will also assist owners who wish or need to stay in the same areas as their horses find accommodation. Owners that are staying on site are being advised to decontaminate themselves before leaving the area to purchase food and other necessities. RSPCA is providing help in caring for those horses involved in the lockdown.
Tests carried out yesterday on three racehorses at Randwick came back negative. Veterinarians and tracing officers are continuing to work around the clock to determine the extent of the infections affecting horses across the State. Currently, there are eleven confirmed infected properties and 48 other locations where horses are suspected of being infected. Suspect properties are located in the Sydney, Hunter, and in the north west of the State.
Movements of horses continue to be prohibited from travelling anywhere in NSW and all race meetings have been cancelled, as have all known sales, shows and other events, within the State.
