Equine Influenza: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Equine Influenza incident?
An outbreak of equine influenza (EI) has occurred in Australia. EI is an exotic disease to Australia (it has never been present here before).
A national response involving the Australian Government, state governments, and a number of horse organisations and are working together to contain and eradicate this virus.

What is Equine Influenza?
Equine influenza (EI) is an acute, highly contagious, viral disease which can cause rapidly spreading outbreaks of respiratory disease in horses, donkeys, mules and other equine species. EI is exotic to Australia and would have a major impact on the Australian horse industry if it were to become established here.
The disease is not generally fatal to horses however, fatalities may occur in old or infirmed horses or young foals.

How is EI spread?
The virus is usually spread by:
• direct contact between infected and susceptible horses
• indirect contact with contaminated tack or equipment
• susceptible horses occupying buildings or vehicles recently occupied by diseased horses
• close contact between contaminated horse handlers and healthy horses.

Can people catch EI?
Transmission of EI virus to humans has not occurred during outbreaks of EI in horses.
Equine influenza poses no threat to people, however it can be spread from people to horses via infected clothing.

How can I tell if my horse has EI?
The main clinical signs of EI are usually a sudden increase in temperature (to between 39°C and 41°C); a deep, dry, hacking cough; and a watery nasal discharge, which may later become thick and smelly.
Other signs can include depression, loss of appetite, laboured breathing, and muscle pain and stiffness.
Few adult horses die of the disease but it can kill young foals. Recovery usually occurs after a couple of weeks but horses need to be rested for a further period to avoid complications.

Treatment

What is the treatment for EI?
• There is no specific treatment other than rest and supportive treatment for the fever and cough.
• Horses that are worked or stressed while sick or during recovery may develop secondary bacterial bronchitis or bronchopneumonia and die.
• Horses should be rested for at least one week for every day of coughing eg. if the horse coughs for 5 days, rest it for 5 weeks.

What will happen if my horse is infected?
All infected properties are being placed in quarantine to ensure that the affected animals do not move and the disease does not spread. Quarantines will be maintained until at least 30 days after the last signs are seen in affected horses.

Are infected horses killed?
Horses are not killed. Infected horses or donkeys are quarantined in order to prevent spread of the disease.

Is there a vaccine available?
There are vaccines overseas but none will be available for use in the short term, especially since vaccination can complicate the diagnosis of the disease. We hope to eradicate the infection so permanent vaccination or horses in Australia will not be required.

Movement Restrictions

Which States and/or Territories have movement restrictions in place?
All Australian states and territories have movement restrictions in place. This does not mean that there are suspected cases in all states and territories, instead, this a national effort to control the spread of equine influenza and to prevent it from becoming established in Australia.

New South Wales
The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries is sending Inspectors under the Stock Diseases Act 1923 to inspect horses where there is concern that they may have been exposed to an infected horse.
Some horses, which were in transit when the restriction was put in place, were allowed to continue their journey.
Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre - Conditions of Entry
Maps of horse movement restricted areas in NSW
Links to other Department of Primary Industries websites.
What restrictions are on horse movements in other states?
It was agreed that all states and territories implement a standstill on the movement of horses until further notice.
Horse transporters are requested to abide by the standstill and ensure their vehicles and equipment are cleaned before any future use.
Animal health authorities recommend that all equine events and gatherings should not take place during this time.
Horse owners/handlers must not move horses from their properties, and are asked to keep informed about updates for further restrictions. Avoid contact between your horses and other horses.
A number of race meetings have been called off in Australian states. Agricultural Shows, Breed Shows and other horse events have also been cancelled throughout NSW.
Racing clubs and other equine associations are being asked to cancel or postpone any meetings or events.

Additional information for horse transporters

When does the standstill finish?
The standstill will remain in place until otherwise notified.

What happens if my horse is at an event?
Horse owners should comply with the event organiser or DPI Officers who will provide further instruction as to the movement of these horses.

Why are movements and events being restricted?
The primary spread of equine influenza is by contact between infected horses. In order to ensure spread does not occur all horse movements have been prohibited.
Can I apply for an exemption to move my horse(s)?
Movement permits are only being issued for urgent horse movements such as horses requiring immediate veterinary attention.
To apply for a permit you will need to contact your local Department of Primary Industries.

Who should I call if I see people moving horses during the standstill?
You should phone your local Department of Primary Industries.
New South Wales - 1800 675 888
Victoria - 1800 678 779
Tasmania - 1800 675 888
South Australia - 1800 675 888
Western Australia - 1800 675 888
Queensland - 132 523
Australian Capital Territory - 1800 675 888
Northern Territory - 1800 675 888

Protecting your Horse(s) and Property

How can I protect my horse?
• Keep your horse away from other horses.
• If you have contact with other horses scrub your footwear in disinfectant, shower and change your clothes before handling your horse.
• If you have contact with a sick horse do not go near another horse for 72 hours.

It is important that you practice good biosecurity. What is biosecurity.

How do I protect my property from possible infection?
Before entering or leaving any premises holding horses, horse owners or handlers should:
• wear clothes and footwear which have had no contact with horses
• if there is any doubt, clothes should be laundered in a hot wash or dry-cleaned and footwear be cleaned and disinfected.
• shower or wash using plenty of warm water and soap, and
• clean and disinfect any item or equipment that may have been in contact with horses including horse transport vehicles.
People having no contact with horses do not need to take special precautions.

What about my feed delivery?
Non-essential vehicles and visitors must be prevented from entering areas of the premises that hold horses. Arrange whenever possible for collection and delivery of supplies to take place at the boundary of the premises.

Should I cancel my farrier/chiropractor/massage therapist/dentist?
Access to properties should only be allowed if the matter is an emergency. Where possible do not make arrangements for these types of visits until after the stock standstill has been lifted.
Where visits do take place ensure appropriate disinfection occurs by the property owner and the visitor.

How do I disinfect my gear?
Equine influenza virus can easily be killed by vigorous cleaning and disinfection of potentially contaminated hands, clothing and objects and is rapidly inactivated by exposure to ultraviolet light.
A dirty surface must always be cleaned thoroughly before it can be satisfactorily disinfected. Organic material such as dirt, manure and straw may neutralise the disinfectant and make it useless.
It is therefore most important that anything that must be disinfected is first thoroughly washed and cleaned and finally washed down or sprayed with an approved disinfectant.
Bleach, diluted as per the manufacturer’s recommendation, is a suitable disinfectant.
Specific agents to kill viruses are available. Please consult your veterinarian for further information.
As disinfectants and chemicals can be irritant, persons handling them should always read the product label and follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and wear protective clothing as necessary.
If my horse is infected, how do I dispose of contaminated bedding or feed?
Contaminated materials from stables can be disposed of by burning (where approved), by burial or by composting. The virus that causes equine influenza does not survive long in the environment.

Do carrrier animals exist?
No. Once an animal has recovered and a sufficient time (30 days) has elapsed they pose no risk to other horses.

Response Activities
The response to the suspected outbreak is being carried out in accordance to the Equine Influenza AUSVETPLAN Manual PDF [1.2mb]
Why is controlling the equine influenza outbreak important?
EI would have a major impact on livestock health and on the horse industry if it were to become established in the horse population. All horses will be permanently at risk of infection with subsequent impacts on competitive and domestic activities.
I am likely to lose money because of this disease. Can I seek compensation?
No, there is no compensation for loss of income or production. These controls are intended to benefit the whole industry, including domestic horse owners, in the long term.