Horsewyse Magazine–Equine Flu

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Australia and New Zealand used to be the only countries that remained free of equine flu. Horses being exported to Australia from all countries (except New Zealand) have to be vaccinated against the equine flu within four months of travel but it is so virulent it can be spread by skin, clothing, equipment and transport vehicles.
Equine Influenza (EI, also known as H3N8) is a highly contagious virus that causes respiratory disease to horses and other equines. The main symptoms are an increase in the horse’s temperature to between 39-41C, a dry cough, watery nasal discharge which can later contain mucous; loss of appetite, muscle pain and stiffness and laboured breathing. Most horses recover after around 10 days...it’s rarely fatal unless the horse gets a secondary infection such as pneumonia.

How did it start?
?It couldn’t have started at a worse time! Right at the beginning of the breeding season, show season, Spring racing carnival and Equitana Asia Pacific.
It’s believed an infected horse from Japan was picked up at Sydney airport on August 23 and transported to a quarantine staion. The virus spread from there to 11 horses stabled at Centennial Park. The horses weren’t racehorses, but pleasure mounts and during the following week, some had competed at country shows and been transported interstate, further spreading the virus.
On August 25, all horse events and transport Australia-wide were cancelled and horse movement stopped. The EFA National Office urged all owners not to transport their horses anywhere and to avoid having contact with other horses.

By September 4, there were 1,019 confirmed cases on 127 properties, with 3,570 suspected cases on 402 properities. New South Wales and Queensland were most affected and on three Brisbane properities, entry gates were manned 24 hours a day by two police officers.
For the first time in history, Australia had a total lock-down of all horse movement. Harness and thoroughbred racing in all other states was also cancelled as a precaution and there was talk of postponing the Melbourne Cup although racing in Victoria and other states resumed the following week.
The mystery all horse owners were asking was how did an infected horse get into Australia when by law they had to be vaccinated against equine flu? Maybe we’ll never know for sure! One theory is that the imported horse was carrying the virus but not showing any symptoms. Whatever the cause, an inquiry was launched by the government.

If Australia has quarantine, how did the virus spread here?
The equine flu virus can travel on clothing, skin and contaminated stables, transport, equipment and is also airborne. If someone handles an infected horse, they can unknowingly spread the virus to other horses via their clothing. This is why changing clothing and showering before handling other horses is important (see below). It can spread from human to horse, as well as horse to horse.

An infected horse sheds very large quantities of the virus through coughing and can reach 35 metres and up to eight kimometres depending on the wind. Infected trucks and floats are a major source of spreading the virus, as are stables.

The virus can be spread by farriers and vets if they have been handling infected horses and during the initial outbreak, farriers were asked not to shoe horses unless it was an emergency, or to see just one client a day so they could de-contaminate completely.

How to protect your horse
The new buzz-word in the equestrian world is ‘bio-security’! When there’s an outbreak on or if a horse is showing any symptoms, keep him at least 50 metres away from other horses. If you do have contact with other horses, scrub all footwear with disinfectent, change and wash your clothing and also have a shower (including washing your hair) using hot water and soap before handling your horse.

If you come into contact with a sick horse then stay away from other horses (including your own) for 72 hours.
You can also help prevent outbreaks of any infectious disease by isolating new horses, keeping them at least 50 metres away from existing horses on your property.
One of the first signs a horse has the flu is a raised temperature. You can check this yourself using a digital theometer you can buy from the chemists BUT if you’ve never taken a horse’s temperature before, get someone to show you how as you might get kicked!

What if I think my horse has the flu?
Isolate him immediately, wash everything (including yourself) as described above, phone a vet immediately and phone the disease emergency hotline on 1800 675 888.

Is equine flu fatal?
Not usually...with the proper care, most horses recover from it but there have been reports of several deaths, especially amongst foals and older horses. Treatment includes keeping infected horses in isolation and resting them in a well-ventilated, dust-free area. A horse with EI needs at least 30 days total rest, probably more, followed by only light exercise for a further 30 days. The general rule for coughing is for every day your horse coughs, rest him for one week, eg. if your horse coughs for seven days, then rest him for seven weeks afterwards. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses however if a secondary bacterial infection occurs, then they can be given, especially if fever lasts longer than 4-5 days and the nasal discharge thickens. Most horses recover in about 10 days, although the coughing can linger.

If it’s not fatal, then why all the fuss?
The virus can put horses out of action for months until they recover and as it spreads so easily, it can quickly strike down a lot of horses. A horse worked too hard during or after a respiratory infection risks permanent lung damage. It’s also not nice for the horse! If you’ve ever had the flu, then that’s how a horse is feeling (pretty yukky!) Many cases of the flu also led to secondary infections like pneumonia.

Can I catch it?
No, the equine flu isn’t dangerous to humans or other animals but remember, we can pass it to other horses through our skin and clothes.

Can horses be vaccinated?
Yes...the vacinne for the equine flu was flown in from France to protect racehorses and create a buffer zone to try and contain the virus. The vaccine might be made more available down the track. For full vaccination information, visit here..... And to take part in a Vaccination Survey, go here....

How did it affect the horse community?
This is the first widespread outbreak of equine flu in Australia and many horse owners were naturally concerned. As mentioned, all horses events and movement Australia-wide were stopped, including race meetings, shows, Pony Club rallies, lessons etc. Many were caught at venues when the travel ban was announced, meaning they were stuck there until it was declared safe to travel again, their horses’ temperatures checked for signs of the virus. They could transport horses only if they had a permit and police were pulling floats over to check. Those flouting this faced a hefty fine and two years jail! Unfortunately when the restrictions were lifted, there were a few cases of reported road rage against people towing floats.

Horse events at Adelaide and Melbourne Royal Shows were cancelled and even Equitana Asia Pacific was postponed until November 2008.
A five kilometre exclusion zone around Centennial Park was put in place...this included Randwick Racecourse where over 700 thoroughbreds are stabled. The exclusion applied to both humans and horses, with no-one allowed either in or out, including unfortunately, Sydney’s police horses who were needed for the APEC conference in September. This turned out to be a wise move though when a number of police horses began showing symptoms.
Channel Nine’s A Current Affair host Tracey Grimshaw’s five horses all got the flu and she appeared on air with one of the least affected. She was especially worried about her 36 year old pony who was showing severe symptoms.

What was the impact on our economy?
It’s been estimated that a three month ban on all horse events in Victoria alone would cost $57 million while Australia-wide the cost was in the billions of dollars. Affected were trainers, farriers, trainers, transport companies, photographers, magazines the TAB...everyone involved in the horse industry. The government announced financial relief and those whose income was affected could contact Centrelink.

Can we control it in Australia?
Maybe...by identifying of the first horse in Australia with the virus (known as the ‘index case’) and by restricting movement of all horses, people and equipment likely to have been in contact with it.

If ourbreaks occur simultaneously in other states, then controlling it will be difficult and hopefully won’t spread to our brumby population!
The problem is that Australia is a big country with many uncontrolled checkpoints between states, so it really depends on co-operation of horse owners to restrict their horse’s travel until the outbreak is under control.

If horse movement can be controlled then the spread will eventually ‘burn out’. This could happen sooner in Australia than in other countries as the virus is rendered inactive in heat and sunlight and most of our horses are kept outdoors.
Restrictions will stay for eight weeks...four to contain the spread of the virus and another four weeks with no evidence of re-infection with all horse events suspended until 2008.

How can I protect my horse?
Unfortunately that might be tricky but you can keep a close eye on horses he shares a paddock/stable area with and if any show signs of respiratory distress or coughing, or even if your own horse shows signs, isolate him immediately and call the vet. Also watch out for horses on neighbouring properties, especially if they are in a paddock sharing a boundary fence.

If you buy used horse gear or rugs from Ebay, wash everything thoroughly with hot soap and water, wipe with disinfectant and allow to dry a few days in the sun before taking it anywhere near your horse.

Practise careful hygiene by not sharing grooming tools, buckets or gear, washing your clothes and shoes etc. Yes, it’s THAT catchy!!!!
If the vaccination becomes available here, you could also have your horse vaccinated.

What next?
No-one knows! Fingers (and hooves) crossed this first outbreak is now under control and we never see a case of equine flu in Australia again!

For the most up to date information, visit the Department of Primary Industries website regularly.

You can also fill in this survey being conducted by the Australian Government's Department of Agriculture.

Other websites to visit:
• Official Government site, very informative.
• Eques...this has an excellent forum with many directly involved with EI. You have to registered to post, but not to read. There are regular up-to-date posts regarding EI.
• Australian Industry Horse Council