Horse trainers in NSW have been asked to monitor horses returning from spelling paddocks to further minimise the threat of a Hendra virus outbreak.
Trainers have been advised to check the level of risk of Hendra virus infection at the spelling properties from which horses are returning to their stables as horses coming from a paddock pose a greater risk than those already in the stable.
A notice to trainers from Racing NSW’s chief veterinarian Dr Craig Suann has advised that horses arriving at the stable from a spell should undergo a period of isolation as a precaution.
“All along we’ve tried to give advice about things like covering feed bins and water troughs and this is a further update of advice,” Racing NSW’s chief steward Ray Murrihy said.
“What it’s all about is risk management.
“It doesn’t mean there is any more alarm in respect to spread of the virus, we just want trainers to have the best advice.”
So far 15 horses that have been infected with Hendra have either died or been put down since June 20 this year with 10 in Queensland and five in NSW.
Flying foxes are known to carry the virus which can be passed on to horses who can in turn infect humans.
AAP TURF