Horse racing in Australia, which is a multibillion-dollar industry, has been hit by a major setback after horse flu has cancelled race meetings at the peak of the racing season, as the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival is about to start.
Authorities have cancelled events in order to contain the horse flu, which can leave colts and fillies recovering in their stables for weeks and has the potential to kill foals.
A ban has also been imposed on moving horse stock across the country and it remains to be seen when it will be lifted.
Agriculture minister, Peter McGauran, said: "We must leave no stone unturned at containing the outbreak," I the light of the fact that this constitutes the biggest ever outbreak of the virus in Australian history and is already costing the industry millions.
It seems that the first casualty was a horse that had recently visited Japan, where there was a three-week horse quarantine after the virus was found.
Although no thoroughbreds have been confirmed with the illness, after starting in Sydney horses as far afield as south-east Queensland have been suspected of being contaminated.
Horse racing in Australia, which is a multibillion-dollar industry, has been hit by a major setback after horse flu has cancelled race meetings at the peak of the racing season, as the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival is about to start.