*Plagues, Pestilences and Diseases
Australian Horse flu epidemic continues rapid spread *
August 29, 2007 12:09pm
Article from: AAP
THE equine influenza (EI) outbreak in Queensland may have spread further
to several properties in western Brisbane.
However, Department of Primary Industry (DPI) animal biosecurity science
manager Ian Douglas said there was no cause for alarm for the state's
racing industry.
"I don't believe there's any reason to panic by thinking this could
spread to the racing industry," Mr Douglas said.
"Theoretically it can be spread for up to eight kilometres in the wind
but we don't have those conditions at the moment."
Mr Douglas said property owners at Pullenvale, Brookfield, Upper
Brookfield, Bellbowrie and Moggill had reported horses suffering
symptoms of the disease.
"We've got four horses in these areas that we know of which are showing
clinical signs of flu and respiratory problems," Mr Douglas said.
We've sampled them and tests are currently under way at our laboratory
at Yerongpilly. If the preliminary tests are positive then we'll send
then to the Geelong laboratory for confirmation."