This year Caboolture Dressage Group's annual fundraiser will be going to the Qld Horse Council's Hendra virus Vaccine Fund. Please support this fantastic and fun event.
NOMINATIONS CLOSE July 23 by 5pm. More details
Or on Caboolture Dressage Group's website on http://caboolturedressage.org.au/
Negative results for Hendra virus (HeV) were received this morning for the final round of tests on the companion horse on the affected Sunshine Coast property. The results included negative test results for the Indirect ELISA for the detection of antibodies to Hendra virus, as well as negative PCR results on a range of swabs from the horse. The samples were tested by the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) at Geelong
A revised AUSVETPLAN Disease Strategy for equine influenza (EI) has been developed based on the various reviews of the policy and operational aspects of the response to the 2007 EI outbreak in Australia. These include the Report of the National Review of Australia’s Response to the 2007 outbreak of equine influenza (http://www.equineinfluenzainquiry.gov.au ) and discussions by Animal Health Committee on 'lessons learnt'. The revision of the disease strategy was carried out by an expert writing group and managed by Animal Health Australia. Read more Read revised Ausvetplan
There’s still a long way to go – CSIRO AAHL have expanded their immunity level testing on the vaccine - the more complete the testing the quicker a vaccine will be available to horse owners. They have been talking to the vaccine companies - who became much more interested after the announcement of government support! – and they think they may have an agreement settled with one of them at least in the next very few weeks. The new target is $75,000. Then the final steps will need funding - the vaccine has to undergo safety checks and registration before a commercial partner for production and rollout is done. Let’s not have another hold up – donate now. If we all give a little we will have a vaccine in the shortest possible time.
Queensland horse owners do not miss out on the latest Hendra virus information that is available. Dr Fiona Thompson together with Debbie Dekker (QHC President) present at the QHC Hendra Virus Seminars practical information for vets and horse owners alike on how to reduce your risks. It is well worth your time and effort to attend (or arrange) a QHC Hendra Virus Seminar in your area if you can. Please contact Debbie at president@qldhorsecouncil.com if you are interested in arranging a seminar. We’d love to hear from you!
The decision of the State and Federal governments to provide a combined $600,000 to progress the development of a horse vaccine for Hendra virus has been welcomed as a wonderful result by horse people, equine professionals and the wider community. Since the catastrophic outbreak of the deadly Hendra Virus (HeV) occurred at Vic Rail’s racing stables in Brisbane in 1994 there have been 14 known outbreaks involving horses in Queensland and New South Wales, with the most recent being on the Sunshine Coast last week. Read more
Negative results for HeV were received this afternoon on blood samples submitted from the companion horse on the affected property on the Sunshine Coast. A Biosecurity Queensland veterinarian sampled the horse yesterday afternoon and collected blood samples and a range of swabs. Read More
The Horse Industry and an Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA)
Background to levy options discussion paper. The recent Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) meeting had three important messages for the Horse Industry. Read more
The Australian Veterinary Association is warning horse owners around the country that conditions are right for the hendra virus to reappear. The bodily fluids of flying foxes are known to spread the disease. The AVA has urged horse owners not to leave uncovered feed and water troughs near where the bats roost. Read more
Message from Dr Mike Bond Chief Executive Officer Animal Health Australia - Protection against another horse disease emergency
Primary Industries Ministers from the Commonwealth and all of Australia’s states and territories have now clearly indicated that they won’t support a nationally cost shared response to any exotic horse disease incursion until there is a cost sharing agreement in place. Ministers have set 1 December 2010 as the deadline for the horse industry to reach agreement on a mechanism to allow it to meet its share of response costs.
The Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC) welcomes the outcome of the Primary Industries Ministers Council (PIMC) meeting of 23rd April. PIMC gave the different sectors of the Horse Industry the opportunity to work together and with Government and the Opposition to find acceptable levy mechanisms in order that the Emergency Animal Disease Agreement (EADRA) can be signed and the Levy Bills re-introduced to Parliament. Read more
Response from Tony Burke to AHIC re EI vaccination - read the letter read more