Portal:New South Wales/Selected article/02, 2008

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An outbreak of equine influenza in Australia was confirmed by the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries on August 24, 2007 in Sydney. Also known as "horse flu", the rapid outbreak was of the Influenza A virus strain of subtype H3N8. While the virus is highly contagious, it rarely kills adult horses but the performance of thoroughbred racing horses can be affected for several weeks. It can be fatal to young foals and debilitated horses.

Because of strict quarantine procedures to reduce the risk of exotic pests and diseases entering Australia, this was the first outbreak of equine influenza in Australia. Horses in Australia had not been exposed to the virus and are not vaccinated and hence were fully susceptible.