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Story By Chris Scholtz

The equine herpes virus sweeping Australian stud farms has resulted in 12 properties being isolated in Victoria and NSW.

Racing authorities are now facing the reality that the Australian breeding industry is facing Australia’s worst outbreak of the virus that results in pregnant mares aborting their unborn foals.

There have already been 30 confirmed reports of mares aborting their unborn foals with the number expected to rise dramatically as the breeding season reaches its peak in the next eight weeks.

The virus has not been detected in Victoria since 1989 with Professor Michael Studdert of the University of Melbourne's school of veterinary science described the outbreak as the worst ever seen in Australia.

The 12 affected farms are now operating under a state of quarantine, with no horses allowed to leave or arrive at the properties for a minimum of 30 days.

There is a vaccine, developed in 1996 but not widely used, available to breeders with Professor Studdert advising that it is 80 per cent effective in combating the virus.

Horses can pick up a strain of the herpes virus from an early age as a respiratory virus. It remains dormant in their system but it is estimated up to 50 percent of thoroughbred horses carry the virus which can be activated in mares when they begin breeding.

The hihgly contagious virus had spread quickly since the first reported case in Victoria in July due to the high volume of horse movement between stud farms at this time of the year.

There is no major threat to horses in training, although trainers have been advised to isolate and monitor new arrivals at their stables.

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia has recommended that breeders consider keep foaling mares at home and move the mare and foal at a later date.

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