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Australia Battles Equine Flu

September 3, 2007

Australia appointed former high court judge Ian Callinan to conduct an inquiry into an outbreak of equine influenza that's forced the cancellation of horse racing and banned the movement of animals.

Callinan will examine how the virus entered Australia and how it spread, Peter McGauran, the nation's agriculture minister said in a statement on his Web site today. He will have powers under the Quarantine Act 1908 to subpoena witnesses and hold public hearings.

Australia's racing industry generates A$15 billion ($12.3 billion) a year in betting revenue. Racing remains halted in Queensland and New South Wales states and livestock is banned from movement in order to contain the spread of the disease.

No races will be held at Randwick, Sydney's main racetrack, for at least 60 days after the disease spread to thoroughbreds, the New South Wales government said Aug. 30.

In New South Wales state, the nation's most populous, about 700 animals were infected with the disease, which isn't usually fatal for animals or dangerous to people, the state's government said yesterday. Horses in Australia were infected with the same strain discovered in Japan last month, veterinary officials have said