Threat to Coast racing in Hendra scare

Daniel Meers June 19th, 2010

QUEENSLAND biosecurity officials have locked down an area near the Gold Coast Turf Club fearing a potential outbreak of the fatal Hendra virus which could cripple the multimillion-dollar industry.

Government officials have banned trainers indefinitely from walking their horses in the popular forest area near the racing precinct because of a fruit bat colony which could carry and pass on the illness through bodily fluids.

The danger could last several weeks with the council and environment protection agencies forced to preserve the protected species rather than cull or remove the breeding ground for the virus.

It is believed up to 1500 fruit bats may live in trees next to the state-of-the-art Traintech education facility opposite the racecourse.

The Hendra virus has killed four people since it was first discovered in Queensland in 1994.

If an outbreak did occur, the 600-horse precinct could be locked down.

Biosecurity Queensland horse industry liaison officer Fiona Thompson last night said the agency was not prepared to risk horses contracting the virus.

"Whenever there is the potential for flying fox-horse interaction you need to put those precautions in place," she said.

"Given we have an area with such a high density of horses surrounding a flying fox colony ... it increases the risk of horses coming in contact with excretions.

"The concern is there is a walkway there and you've got an area of overhanging trees where there is the potential for faeces and urine to come in contact with horses."

It is understood the council controls the land, and has been in discussions with the Department of Primary Industries to reach a solution, but their hands are tied by environmental regulations.

"Because of the conservation nature of this site, we must look at options that are environmentally sustainable," said a council spokesperson.

"Council is working with the Department of Environment and Resources Management, Department of Primary Industries and Biosecurity to reach a solution with this particular colony of bats."

A horse at Tewantin, on the Sunshine Coast, was euthanased on May 17 after contracting the virus.