The Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale at the Gold Coast - will be held in late November.
Magic Millions Managing Director David Chester announced new dates for the sale, which was originally postponed from its October timeslot because of the equine influenza outbreak.
The sale will kick off with two breeze up days on November 25 and 26 and the sale on November 27 and 28.
"All horses in the sale must be and will be vaccinated," Chester said.
Some 457 young horses - including a handful of three-year-olds - are catalogued for the sale.
An Equine Influenza Information Session will be conducted today, Friday 28th September 2007, at Eagle Farm Racecourse at 11.00am.
The general purpose of the session is to ensure that those affected by the equine influenza outbreak are fully informed as to the type of assistance available to them. Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) officials will also be available to speak to industry stakeholders regarding the current situation and the future of racing in South East Queensland.
Venue: Eagle Farm Racecourse Guineas Room
Date: Friday 28 September 2007
Time: 11.00am
Speakers: Centrelink; Queensland Racing Limited; Department of Primary Industry; Australian Taxation Office and Trainer representatives
| The Australian Racing Board has ordered and declared Equine Influenza (EI) to be a notifiable and contagious animal disease. This order was made pursuant to AR64K(1) of the Australian Rules of Racing and is effective from 27 August 2007. |
| Accordingly, an emergency equine influenza (EI) vaccination program for certain thoroughbred racehorses in NSW is being conducted under the supervision of Racing NSW. |
| This is in addition to a "buffer zone" vaccination program being co-ordinated by NSW Department of Primary Industries as part of the emergency animal disease response. |
| The vaccine to be used is Merial ProteqFlu which is specially being imported for this emergency vaccination program. The vaccination process will require an initial dose followed by a second dose 2-4 weeks after the first dose. Subsequent booster doses may be required depending on the progress of the EI eradication program being implemented by DPI. |
| As with the use of any vaccine, there is the risk of adverse reactions occurring from the use of this product. Signs to watch out for include: |
| • A transient swelling (max. diameter 5cm) which regresses within 4 days may appear at the injection site. |
| • Pain and local hyperthermia can occur in rare cases. |
| • A slight increase in temperature (max 1.5C) may occur for one (1) day, exceptionally two (2) days. |
| • In exceptional circumstances, apathy and reduced appetite may be observed the day after vaccination. |
| • In exceptional circumstances a hypersensitivity reaction may occur, which may require appropriate symptomatic treatment. |
| If you notice any serious effects or other effects not mentioned above, you should immediately notify your veterinary surgeon. Make sure you inform your veterinary surgeon that the horse has been vaccinated for EI when notifying them of such side effects. |
| Your veterinarian should report any serious adverse reaction to the APVMA's Adverse Experience Reporting Program as soon as possible. You should also contact the Racing NSW Stewards or Veterinary Department if you have any concerns. |
| IMPORTANT NOTE FOR HORSES IN WORK |
| To minimise the consequences of any side effects from the use of this vaccine, trainers are cautioned to refrain from fast work for at least 2 days after each dose of vaccine. |
| To facilitate the vaccination program the Board has introduced local rule of racing LR15 (effective 27 September 2007) |
| Where a declaration has been made under AR 64K(1), the Stewards shall have the function of taking measures which in their opinion are for the purpose of containing or eradicating the disease or condition which is the subject of the declaration including but not limited to the following powers to: |
| (a) require persons to implement biosecurity precautions to be taken on any racecourse, training centre, registered stable premises and/or any other premises where race horses are located or trained; |
| (b) require persons to implement biosecurity precautions to be taken in the care, control, supervision, transport, stabling, handling, riding or training of racehorses and any other horses located on the same premises as racehorses or likely to have contact with such racehorses; |
| (c) require persons to vaccinate or comply with the vaccination of any racehorse stabled or located on the premises of any racecourse or any registered stable, or trained or controlled by a licensed person, or that may be training or racing on the premises of a racecourse or located at registered stable premises at any future time; |
| (d) require persons to vaccinate or comply with the vaccination of any other horse located on the same premises or nearby premises, or likely to have contact with racehorses referred to in subsection (c); |
| (e) restrict or control access of any person, vehicle or service to any racecourse, training centre or registered stable premises; |
| (f) restrict or control access by any unvaccinated horse to any racecourse, training centre or registered stable premises. |
| For the purpose of this rule a racehorse shall mean all thoroughbred horses of whatever age which are registered or are capable of being registered. |
| This measure of horse vaccination is in line with the strategy of the National Management Group (comprised of the Chief Executive Officers of the Commonwealth and State/Territory departments of Agriculture/Primary Industries across Australia and also the heads of the peak bodies representing the horse industry), endorsed on Monday 17 September, to contain and eradicate this virus. |
| Any horse that is not vaccinated may be excluded from the premises of any race club or other stable premises, may be prohibited from starting in any race and may be confined or detained at the discretion of the Stewards. |
| Racehorse owners, trainers and farm managers are advised that vaccinations will commence 28 September 207 and that those property owners notified must provide the necessary access to Stewards and veterinarians into stables/properties and arrange appropriate numbers of horse handlers to be available. |
| In addition, the Document of Description or Thoroughbred Identification Card must be present with the horse to be vaccinated as no horse will be vaccinated that cannot be positively identified. If a horses' ID is kept in a EI infected area, please notify the Stewards. |
| In conclusion, Racing NSW expresses its appreciation of the co-operation of all industry participants in swiftly and effectively rolling out its vaccination strategy. |
| For further information regarding the vaccination, please see the paper issued by the National Management Group by visiting the website of Dept of Agriculture Fisheries & Forestry |
|
P V'landys
Chief Executive Officer
27 September 2007 |
The total number of infected premises (IPs) has increased 420. This now includes Albion Park trotting complex, and the Hendra and Deagon race course precincts. A community information centre will open soon at Hendra.
There are currently 2526 Infected Properties (IPs), 326 Dangerous Contact Properties (DCPs) and 371 Suspect Properties (SPs).
Two facts, among others, encourage optimism for the prospect of eradicating EI:
1. All State Disease Control Head Quarters (SDCHQs) have been advised that, to date, almost all spread in the Australian EI outbreak after 25 August 2007 has been at the local level. There is no evidence of widely dispersed continuing infection, new IPs are largely confined to areas of existing infection where horse population densities are high, and statewide and regional epidemic curves are showing promising declines in the numbers of new IPs.
2. The most recent epidemiological advice provided to SDCHQ states that the 1986 outbreak in South Africa was similar in many respects to the outbreak Australia is currently experiencing. The South African outbreak was severe and extensive, yet was eradicated in circumstances much more difficult than Australia is facing.
The important factors that appear to have driven recent spread are density of horse populations combined with local airborne spread and nose-to-nose contact between horses over fences in these areas. There are still many instances where EI has been spread by people and via objects. To counter this local spread, suspect cases, particularly in Control Areas, need to be reported, and high standards of personal biosecurity maintained.
Industry Liaison representatives worked with SDCHQ and Local Disease Control Centre (LDCC) staff to find a way for a produce merchant in the Northern Sydney area at risk of closing down to continue operating. They ensured appropriate biosecurity arrangements were in place and the business is able to operate in accordance with relevant quarantine requirements.
Vaccination is planned to start this weekend once the vaccine arrives in Australia this evening. All vaccinations will be used for the eradication campaign only, and there is currently no proposal for any general vaccination of horses. Vaccination other than with the approval of the Chief Veterinary Officer remains illegal.
Buffer zones are being established. The first area targeted by the vaccination campaign is the southern buffer zone. Most horse owners in this region have been contacted and have responded positively to the eradication strategy. Once vaccinated, horses will show immunity within 2 weeks. We ask that you remain patient during the next 2 weeks in the interests of the successful control and eradication of this influenza outbreak.
Many people from the non-racing sector are concerned that decision making is favouring the thoroughbred racing and breeding sector. The focus of the media on the Melbourne Cup and the Victorian Spring Carnival tends to confirm this concern, but the need to vaccinate racehorses is driven by the fact that the cessation of racing is a major cost to the economy.
IN THE NEWS
Efforts get country racing back on track; picnic races getting creative. Coffs Harbour leads a late charge of country racing meetings this week. See:
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/recent-news/agriculture-news-releases/country-racing
The need for strict biosecurity around horses has been highlighted by poor human hygiene causing the spread equine influenza (EI) to unexpected locations. See the full story:
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/recent-news/agriculture-news-releases/human-hygiene
The total number of infected premises (IPs) has increased to 359. Most new IPs were close to other IPs. Samples have been taken from horses with clinical signs of EI at Pilton, Ma Ma Creek, Beerwah, Albion Park and Deagon - laboratory results are yet to be reported. Samples have also been sent to the Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong.
There are currently 2242 Infected Properties, 340 Dangerous Contact Properties and 312 Suspect Properties. Now that zoning has been implemented, we will no longer report on Restricted Areas, unless the current number changes. Some adjustments at the interface of the amber and red zones are now taking place.
As reported yesterday we are now starting to see properties that suffered the first wave of infection coming out the other side, with outbreak scenarios predicting a continued high incidence of Infected Properties for the next month or so followed by a variable rate of decline over succeeding months.
The Community Education branch is currently establishing extension teams, with the help of Forward Command Posts and industry representatives, to arrange community consultative committee meetings. These meetings will be held in strategic locations throughout NSW.
The distribution of community information packages and posters continues, with all NSW local councils and NSW universities receiving these. Over 50 organisations are now distributing these packages to their members and to the public. The NSW Department of Education and Training are now working with Community Education to distribute a one-page flyer prior to school holidays.
IN THE NEWS
Kembla Grange racetrack near Wollongong remains free from equine influenza following NSW DPI testing over night. Two horses were showing signs consistent with the disease but have returned negative tests for EI. They will remain under close veterinary observation. See http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/recent-news/agriculture-news-releases/kembla-grange As reported yesterday, a riding school near Campbelltown have tested positive to equine influenza. See http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/recent-news/agriculture-news-releases/riding-school-tests-positive
Containing horse flu is similar to fighting a bushfire; buffer zones, like firebreaks, work best where there are natural barriers and a low level of fuel. Susceptible horses are the fuel for the Equine Influenza fire. Buffer zones are being established in NSW in areas of low density of horses and the susceptibility of horses in the buffer zones will be dampened down by vaccination.
Buffer zones are an essential part of DPI’s plan to contain Equine Influenza by stopping the property-to-property spread. Owners of horses within the buffer zones will have two alternatives:
• voluntary movement of their horses out of the buffer zone with some payment from DPI to assist with relocation or
• compulsory vaccination and an indefinite standstill.
It is important that horses vaccinated in the buffer zone stay where they are. Vaccinated horses can still get infected and spread the virus.
Vaccination protocol development is under way for use of vaccine in the two major buffer zones north of Newcastle and south of Sydney. Vaccination is planned to commence on the weekend following the delivery of vaccine to Sydney on Thursday night (27th Sept). Vaccination will only be permitted under the approval of NSW DPI’s Chief Veterinary Officer.
An intensive survey to confirm the number of horses and their locations in the southern buffer has been completed. The process for the northern buffer commenced today.
The buffer zones will be at least 10 km wide. There are likely to be ‘doughnut’ buffer zones around the isolated Restricted Areas at Parkes, Dubbo, Tamworth, Armidale, Berry, Wauchope, Nowendoc and Mudgee. There will be a southern ‘plug’ buffer zone south of Picton and around the escarpment above Wollongong. There will be a northern ‘plug’ buffer zone between Stroud and Gloucester north of Newcastle. There will be a broad buffer at the Liverpool Range in the Upper Hunter area.
It will be increasingly vital for horse owners to comply with movement restrictions and to practice stringent biosecurity. Recent EI outbreaks at Warwick Farm, Brisbane or Scenic Hills Riding Ranch are almost certainly due to spread of infection by humans. This disease is highly infectious. The safest policy is not to allow anyone who has contact with other horses onto your property.
Although the total number of infected properties is growing steadily, these are within our expectations. Importantly, all new infected properties are still within the containment lines, apart from the new IPs around Armidale.
Queensland will receive a significant percentage of the first 20,000 doses of the Equine Influenza Vaccine, which will arrive in Australia on Thursday, 27 September 2007. Find out more about vaccination, including which properties will be involved, by reading the 'Frequently Asked Questions'.
Click HERE for answers to frequently asked questions about EI vaccination.
Click HERE for further information on treatment and vaccines.
The number of infected properties in Queensland has increased by 39 since yesterday giving a total of 282. The latest Equine Influenza infected properties are in Tamborine, Warwick, Brisbane western suburbs and Rosewood/Minden.
