Interviews
Horse Flu
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Interview with Jill from RSPCA Community Services
A: EI was dealt with by the DPI (Department of Primary Industries).
Q: What are the symptoms or the disease?
A: There are many symptoms. Some of them are:
• Increase in temperature
• Loss of appetite
• Laboured breathing
• Muscle pain
• Depression
Q: How to look after a horse with EI:
A: You should rest the horse for 1 - 3 weeks and give it plenty of food and water
Q: What were some of the restrictions?
A: Don't move or ride the horse out of the property, don't ride other horses and isolate the horse to prevent EI from spreading
Interview with Natalie from the DPI
Q: What research has been done towards EI?
A: Looking at spreads - wind spread, human spread - the strength of immunity and flow up test on horses to see if they have contracted the virus.
Q: How many horses have died?
A: No horses have died directly from EI, but have of dieases linked to EI. Younger and older horses are more vulnerale.
Q: What are some of the other diseases that can be triggered by EI?
A: Horses can get pneumonia and a high temperature can cause laminitis.
Q: How long did the EI epidemic last?
A: The first case was found on the 25th August 2007 and the last known infection was on the 25th December 2007.
Q: How many vaccines were supplied?
A: Over 64,000 vaccines were supplied.
Q: Could a an EI outbreak like this happen again in Australia?
A: There is no more live virus has been foun in Australia for three months, but the greatest risk is it being brought back into our country. Yes, it could happen again.
Q: What measures have been taken to prevent it happening again?
A: Quaranteen has been tightened and they are taking alot more care with horses than they were before.
Interview with Judy Cawdell Smith from Queensland University
Q: what is the current risk of EI in Australia?
A: The risk is minimal. No new cases of Equine Influenza have been found for 3 months. Testing has been done and all horses have turned up negative for EI so AUstralia may have gotten rid of it.
