Equine Influenza

The following article is contributed by Pentad client, Maggie McDonell. Maggie and her Husband, Hamish, have a long history in the Equine industry and offer this eye-opening article on the little known widespread impact that Equine Influenza has inflicted on the Australian Economy.

Equine Influenza

Australia received a jolting wake up call about its vital Quarantine protocols in August of this year. The first suspected case of E.I. was detected at Eastern Creek Quarantine Station in NSW on 17^th August. By the 25^th August, many cases were identified in Centennial Park, Sydney. This disease is so contagious that cases of EI were detected in other areas of NSW & Queensland, almost immediately, and Australia went straight into lock down. No horses were to be shifted anywhere. So people on the move with horses had to stay where they were when the locked down was called by the Department of Primary Industry. This lock down has been lifted, with conditions, in Victoria, S.A. Tasmania & W.A, but those people and horses caught in NSW and Queensland are still there, with devastating economic impact for many.

The impact of this disease and its effect has been and continues to be very far reaching. The Australian horse industry collectively is reputed to be the 4^th biggest industry in Australia and the Racing Industry is 20% of that. Pleasure riding, the generic name for the non racing industry, is diverse and wide spread, including pony club, adult riders, show jumping, eventers, dressage, western riding, show riding, riding for the disabled, many breed societies, polo, polocrosse, breeders and this list goes on. These have all been shut down and the waves have hit all those industries which support them. On average, sales of product and services outside the racing industry are down to 10% of normal. These services include coaching, farriers, health care workers, breeding of horses, feed merchants, clothing, equipment; collectively a sizable industry in Australia. Many of these businesses are struggling; some have gone to the wall, though the Federal Government is providing a one off Grant of $5000, with a possibility of a further $5000 in the New Year. All horse events have been cancelled. Technically events can still be run in the non EI affected states, but for many the tough Biosecurity measures make it impossible to do so. For example if EI is detected whilst an event is being held, the organizers are responsible for at least a 6 week lock down of horses and riders, with all the logistical and economic responsibilities that come with it. Western Australia is the only state totally unaffected by EI.

Equitana, the internationally prestigious horse event held every 2 years in Melbourne has been cancelled, leaving a huge loss of income for the horse and tourism industry.

Another aspect to this lock down is that many of our Olympic equestrian contenders are unable to qualify as there are no events to enable them to do so. This is heartbreaking for them as they work so long and hard to achieve their Olympic goals and Australia prides itself on its Olympic success in Eventing. A whole season’s horse breeding has basically been missed as mares have been unable to travel to the various studs, or mares are stranded interstate at huge costs to their owners.

There has been much misinformation about this Horse Flu as so little is known about it by the general public. Yes it is highly contagious and it can be very debilitating for horses. According to the DPI horses don’t actually die from it but from ancillary problems such as colic, which are brought about by the flu. Many horses have died. The DPI’s aim is to eradicate EI totally from Australia and it appears to be successful in this. However as humans are the main spreaders of this disease, complacency for biosecurity is a worry. Vaccinations only reduce the severity of the illness and do not prevent it.

When EI was detected in August, nobody could have predicted the widespread impact, economic, psychological and communal. There is now much mistrust between the racing and non racing industries, and there is still a widespread apprehension in the industry as although the EI is predicted to be eradicated by mid 2008, it takes only one thoughtless breach of biosecurity to allow it to rage again, and the whole process of lock down will have to continue.

The main concern about this whole episode is QUARANTINE. The Government has called an official inquiry into this breach of Quarantine for all of Australia needs to be concerned. Just think about Avian Flu or Foot and Mouth!

Maggie and her Husband, Hamish, own and operate Hamag.  Hamag is a 100% Australian owned company and has over 30 years experience in fine quality leather goods manufacturing, and a life time with equestrian activities. Further information on Hamag is available WWW.HAMAG.COM.AU