Permits continue to keep SA free of horse flu

Friday 28 September, 2007

A permit system will continue until the end of the year for all horse events in South Australia.

Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Rob Rahaley said that the system would help maintain South Australia’s current flu free status.

“We are continuing to ask people to cancel equestrian events if they can,” he said.

The permit system is the same as that being used for the racing industry. Racing will continue under permit with strict biosecurity.

“Many equestrian clubs are cancelling events until the end of the year and we certainly support that approach,” Dr Rahaley said.

PIRSA will continue to monitor the situation and advise horse owners should anything change over coming weeks.

People wanting to discuss future events should contact PIRSA – 1800 675 888.

“We need to be sure that event organisers can implement the required biosecurity and PIRSA will undertake regular audits of events that receive permits,” Dr Rahaley said.

“Non-compliance could result in fines of up to $20,000. Event organisers will also need to ensure that they can manage the risks should an event be locked down.”

Dr Rahaley said that it was important that all horse owners understood the seriousness of horse flu.

“It will take several months to eradicate horse flu from NSW and Qld and, until the disease is stamped out, it presents a significant risk to SA,” he said.

Dr Rahaley said the major risks to SA included people movements interstate and failure to report sick horses.

“Anyone who has been on a horse property in the affected areas of NSW and Qld presents a big risk to horse owners here. People from interstate should not interact with SA horses for at least 72 hours and they should wash their clothes and they should not bring any horse equipment with them without permit,” he said.

“We also want people to continue to check their horses regularly for runny noses, lethargy and high temperatures and to report such symptoms to PIRSA’s hotline 1800 675 888,” Dr Rahaley said.

Follow up testing of horses reported to PIRSA is done at no cost to the owner.

People wanting more information about horse flu and equestrian activities in
SA can contact:

  • PIRSA website – www.pir.sa.gov.au
  • PIRSA hotline – 1800 675 888
  • Their equestrian clubs and associations
  • Horse SA 0402 488 306

A number of public meetings will be held during October to provide more detailed information to horse clubs:

Time

Town

Dates

Where

Aldinga 4 October Aldinga Community Centre 7pm
Mt Gambier 5 October Commodore Motel 7pm
Kingscote 8 October Ozone Hotel 7pm
Oakbank 15 October Oakbank High School 7pm
Strathalbyn 17 October Town Hall 7pm
Pt Lincoln 24 October Pt Lincoln Racing Club 7pm
Wudinna 25 October Wudinna Community Club 7pm

Other meetings are also being planned and will be promoted when details are
finalised.