THE PURPOSE OF HORSE ALERT WA

Early detection, rapid diagnosis and effective response to a horse disease emergency will depend on well-developed and communicated emergency response arrangements.

Horse Alert WA has been developed to help participants in the racing, sporting and recreational sectors of the horse industry in Western Australia to prepare for, recognise and respond effectively to an emergency disease that affects horses, such as the equine influenza
outbreak in Australia in 2007.

This manual provides biosecurity information to minimise the risks of a horse disease establishing and spreading in Western Australia, and guidance on the actions to take if an emergency disease occurs.

Some strategies described will also assist in minimising the spread of common infections, such as strangles and equine herpes virus.

Horse Alert WA consists of four sections:
1. Biosecurity – keeping horses in WA healthy and free of disease
2. Reporting and responding to an unusual disease
3. Government and horse industry emergency disease response agreements
4. Appendices: resources, contacts and other references

The Horse Alert concept was first developed in Victoria and South Australia and the authors
acknowledge their debt to the Horse Alert Victoria and Horse Alert South Australia documents.
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA), the Western Australian Horse Council (WAHC),
Equestrian Western Australia (EWA), the Department of Agriculture and Food WA (DAFWA),
the WA Equine Industry Consultative Group (WAEICG) and other industry stakeholders have
collaborated in the development of Horse Alert WA.
Horse Alert WA reference group members were Dr Judith Medd (Racing and Wagering WA), Ms
Diane Bennit (WAHC), Mr Hamish Johnston (EWA), Dr Lee Chester (DAFWA), Dr Michelle Rodan
(DAFWA), Ms Suzanna Norton (DAFWA) and Dr Michael Paton (DAFWA).
The Horse Alert WA reference group thanks Dr Hume Field, Biosecurity Queensland,
Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, for his assistance with the
Hendra virus information in this publication.

Available for Download: 'Horse Alert WA'- by Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia - https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1033&context...

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