Kiwi horses in equine flu tests

Biosecurity officers have begun testing horses at 14 sites to ensure New Zealand is free of the equine influenza that has brought Australia's racing industry to a halt.

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand said last night that blood samples were being taken from 97 horses that had been imported from Australia since the start of the month.

Testing at 14 "high priority" sites would be completed today and results were expected early next week.

Spokeswoman Helen Keyes said other horses at those premises would also be tested. The sites, which had received horses from Australia in the past 10 days, were not required to isolate them because there was no evidence the virus was in New Zealand.

However, isolation was recommended.

All horse imports from Australia have been stopped after the discovery of infected horses in New South Wales and Queensland.

Travellers entering New Zealand from Australia are being asked about their movements while in Australia.

Horses with equine flu usually have a fever, a cough, a runny nose, and go off their food for several days, before recovering.

Massey University equine studies professor Joe Mayhew said the disease could decimate the New Zealand horse population, which had not been exposed to it.

"It's just like the flu we all know and hate. In certain horses it can be fatal, especially young ones."

Outbreaks had decimated equestrian horse populations overseas, and infected animals ran the risk of complications such as heart trouble and pneumonia, he said.

New Zealand was well prepared for an outbreak, with contingency plans in place and stockpiles of vaccine, Professor Mayhew said.

"Touch wood we've been fortunate so far."

Prime Minister Helen Clark said the Cabinet was briefed yesterday.

"Clearly if the epidemic isn't very confined, if it were to spread, it has very grave consequences for the breeding season and for future high profile racing in our own country as well as in Australia.

"So very stringent measures are in place," Miss Clark said.

New Zealand horse trainers are keeping an anxious vigil as the outbreak causes havoc across the Tasman.

Cambridge trainer Chris Wood has a dozen horses at Mornington, near Melbourne, where all horses have been locked down.

"I was planning to go over to watch some of them race, but I think I'll stay at home. I don't want to be the one to bring it (equine flu) back," he said.

Tabcorp Holdings, Australia's top betting gency, has estimated turnover losses of $A150 million.

The New Zealand TAB was also hit, losing $2.5 million in bets on Australian racing at the weekend.