State Governments Announce Hendra Spending Boost

July 27, 2011

State Governments Announce Hendra Spending Boost

The Queensland and New South Wales state governments have committed to spending an extra $6 million as the fight to eradicate the Hendra virus intensifies.

A total of 14 horses located between Cairns in the far north and Macksville on the New South Wales mid north coast have now died from the disease, which authorities are struggling to control.

“Beating Hendra is going to take a combined effort of science Australia,” said Queensland premier Anna Bligh.

Ms Bligh said that the new $6 million in funding would complement the work the CSIRO was doing to develop a vaccine to prevent horses picking up the infection in the first place.

The current outbreak of the disease was first detected in the south western corner of Queensland, however it has now spread just about all the way up the Queensland coast and into New South Wales, which has led Racing Victoria Chief Executive Rob Hines to warn Victorian trainers about the dangers of the disease.

A host of Victorian horses, including Black Caviar, have been spelling at agistment farms in Queensland, which has prompted Hines to send biosecurity information to all trainers who have had horses in Queensland in recent months.

Mike Moroney actually rushed his star filly Brazilian Pulse back from Queensland a week ago, as he feared an outbreak would mean she was stranded in the affected zone.

Hines said that the Hendra outbreak was far more serious than the Equine Influenza outbreak that crippled racing in 2007 because it had the potential to kill humans as well.

Issues surrounding the Hendra virus have been further complicated by the fact that it was recently found in a dog on a Queensland farm.

Scientists were of the opinion that the virus could only be transferred along the bat-horse-human axis, however this case has led to fears that the disease could be mutating, which could be disastrous for the horse population, especially in Queensland.

“We don’t know how the dog contracted the virus or when it happened. Based on our knowledge to date, it is most likely that the dog caught the virus from an infected horse,” said chief Queensland vet Rick Symons.

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapat...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: L...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse extended her record to eight victories in the 2024...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winne...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Veight joined an elite list of three-year-olds to beat home the older horses...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results:...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Chris Waller’s VRC Derby winner from the spring, Riff Rocket, now has the...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Vi...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Via Sistina Too Good Debuting for Waller

Yu Long Investments lucrative European purchase, the now Chris Waller-trained...

Race Results

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapateo Upsets Sunshine In Paris

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Imperatriz Defends Title in 2024 William Reid Stakes

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Race Previews

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off

Fields & Form

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off