Heard this today and it really made me angry!!!!!!


http://www.racenet.com.au/audio/AlanFrogley_20070908.wma

This bloody vet admits that his business is down to 10% because of the
virus so has a vested interest in having all horses vaccinated, that
will help his bottom line!!

If it worries you as well do as the Horse Council suggests and email the
below ministers I have also included some info about Vaccinations the HC
have released


AHIC remains fully supportive of the Emergency Response to the
Equine Influenza outbreak in NSW.

The outbreak started only two weeks ago and tremendous progress has been
made. EI remains contained within NSW and South-East QLD, and all cases
can be traced back to the event at Maitland. The rest of Australia
remains free from infection. There has been marvellous co-operation from
all sectors of the national horse industry in the face of this outbreak.

This needs to continue.

We are in discussion on changes to movement restrictions depending on
circumstances. We hope to bring you good news soon.

AHIC urges its members to email their support for continuation of the
current policy of containment with a view to eradication to both the
Federal Minister Hon. Peter McGauran Peter.McGauran.MP@...
<mailto:Peter.McGauran.MP@...> and NSW State Minister Hon. Ian
MacDonald macdonald.office@...
<mailto:macdonald.office@...>

Please just click on the above email links and let the Ministers know of
the support of the horse industry for these efforts to eradicate EI from
Australia

G. Barry Smyth

President, AHIC






*Message to Horse owners regarding vaccination*.

There are calls to implement vaccination immediately. There are problems
with vaccination which have been well summarised by Thoroughbred
Breeders Victoria (see below). Although Animal Health Australia is
trying to source supplies it is most unlikely that we can use
vaccination in the face of the current spreading outbreak. Vaccination
is no magic bullet. The vaccine is not very effective and it will not be
here quickly enough.

There are other considerations. Although those severely affected in NSW
are calling for urgent vaccination, it will affect all horse owners in
Australia. It has to be a decision made with consideration of the
national position.

If vaccination stops us from eradicating EI, any horse owner that wants
to move, show or compete his horse will have to vaccinate twice a year.
The cost of this will be over $200 per horse per year. The cost of this
eradication scheme will be $10 per horse (once per lifetime). I'm no
economist but I can see that vaccination will be much more costly than
eradication. The problem with the control strategy is that it is hurting
people dependent on horses. However, vaccination will still require the
standstill to continue so the hurt will not go away. We are seeking
emergency support from Governments such as is available in other
National Emergencies.


Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria's expert's advice is as follows:

• Vaccination may reduce the ability to detect and diagnose EI by
reducing clinical signs, whilst still allowing horses to be infected and
spread EI

• In vaccinated horses, blood tests will be unable to be used to
determine if a horse has a current or prior infection hindering control
measures

• Vaccinated horses have been responsible for the spread of EI to
several countries including Australia

• Imported stallions in Eastern Creek which were vaccinated still became
infected with this strain of EI virus

• Europe has a vaccinated racing and sport horse population but
outbreaks of EI continue

• Mass vaccination of all JRA racehorses twice yearly did not prevent a
recent epidemic in Japan

• Care must be taken that vaccine teams do not spread disease

• Current vaccines require 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart and then a 7
day lag phase to induce immunity

• Adverse reactions to EI vaccination are reported and vaccine
manufacturers recommend a period of rest after vaccination. This creates
a problem for horses in training.

• We don’t know what strain of EI has caused this outbreak in Australia

• The vaccines are unlikely to include the current viral strain and
unless satisfactory cross immunity can occur it may be useless

• The only vaccine licensed for use in horses exported from Australia
does not contain the current OIE recommended EI strains

• The use of unlicensed vaccines may create legal issues in the event of
adverse reactions

• Vaccine based immunity is short lived and breakdowns have been
reported as little as 4 weeks after vaccination

• There will not be enough vaccine doses for the entire population and
unless the other breeds which represent 80% of the horse population are
vaccinated it may prove useless in preventing further spread of EI.

• Many horses do not have suitable identification or passports to record
vaccination

• Vaccination of high risk or high ‘value’ horses may be necessary in a
controlled program if the current outbreak spreads but needs careful
consideration

The Australian Horse Industry Council is involved in the discussion on
vaccination but needs horse people to understand all the issues
involved. We try to represent the interests of all horse people but in
this current situation various factions and states are polarised for
very obvious reasons. Vaccination is not a simple solution - we may
chose to use it but it will cost us in the future.