Ei Outbreaks Confirmed In Highlands

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday November 14, 2007

By CHRIS ROOTS

THE slow creep of equine influenza continues, with new cases being confirmed at Pheasants Nest and Thirlmere in the past week.

Confirming the cases yesterday, the Department of Primary Industries told the Illawarra Mercury nine properties were infected in Thirlmere, dating back to November 4.

Other cases have been reported at Pheasants Nest.

"Because the two areas are already in a red zone, the infections were not unexpected," DPI spokesman Tom Braz said yesterday.

"We might extend the buffer zones but there won't be much change to the maps."

Peter Rixon, who trains champion pacer Divisive at Pheasants Nest, was frustrated to hear of the latest EI outbreak from the Mercury.

He said he had heard "rumours, but nothing official" about the spread of the virus.

"I just wish they would tell us it's here," he said.

"My horses have been vaccinated but there was no communication about it being in Pheasants Nest from the DPI.

"I started to hear rumours on Saturday and I'm a little worried because I have a week-old foal here and they are very susceptible to it," Rixon added.

There was also a confirmed case of an EI outbreak at Young yesterday, which will shut down harness racing there and also at Wagga.

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

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