KEY POINTS:
All travellers from Australia will be questioned by Customs and could have their luggage searched as New Zealand acts to stop equine influenza spreading across the Tasman.
MAF Biosecurity has set up tighter checks on people travelling from Australia who may have been near horses.
The highly contagious
virus can be spread by anything, including clothing, which has been coughed on by an infected horse.
All horse equipment arriving in New Zealand will be disinfected in case it carries the virus.
The new measures follow Saturday's immediate - and indefinite - MAF ban on horses travelling between New Zealand and Australia.
MAF has identified 97 horses recently imported from Australia on 55 properties throughout New Zealand.
Officials were yesterday tracing the horses and arranging for them to have veterinary examinations to ensure they are not infected.
The cancellation of all horse racing in Australia during the weekend and today will cost the New Zealand TAB up to $4 million in turnover.
"While it may not be a huge amount compared with our annual turnover, it is still money we would have been getting a percentage of to put back into the racing industry," said NZ Racing Board chief executive Graham Hansen.
But New Zealand horse racing bosses were confident the disease had not spread into this country.
All horse racing in Australia was cancelled for three days from midday Saturday after an outbreak of equine influenza at the Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre near Sydney's famous Randwick racetrack.
The centre's veterinarian, Dr Tim Roberts, said yesterday that almost all its horses were now believed to have equine influenza.
"You can see it clinically and 161 of the 165 horses have it," he said.
"It spreads like wildfire."
The influenza is believed to have spread to the equestrian centre from Sydney's quarantine facility.
There were also concerns the illness had spread to rural New South Wales and Queensland, and Australian authorities have imposed a 72-hour ban on all horse movements.
There are fears the racing ban could be extended, and if more cases of the virus are diagnosed, major race days at Melbourne's famous spring racing carnival, which runs until November and includes the Melbourne Cup, could be cancelled or rescheduled.
Australian racing authorities say that worst-case scenario could cost the economy more than A$1 billion.
John O'Flaherty, of the NZ Equine Health Association, said the possibility of people carrying the virus to New Zealand on clothing was one of the risks.
The virus could survive outside the horse's body for 36 hours, and longer in some circumstances.
"But it is very susceptible to heat and a large range of disinfectants. We hope people will be responsible in that regard.
"We have to expect border control to be on to that and people in the industry will be very cautious and aware of it."
A MAF spokeswoman said travellers were already asked whether they had been in rural areas, such as farms, but biosecurity officials would now be on alert for anyone who answered "yes".
"They will be questioned further, and might have their personal luggage searched," she said.
The measures were similar to those used for travellers from regions with foot and mouth disease.
Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton met Biosecurity officials yesterday and said he had been assured every step possible had been taken.
He would receive another briefing this morning before he reported to the Cabinet.
He said New Zealand's economy was so dependent on agriculture that biosecurity measures were stringent. MAF had prepared a comprehensive response to equine influenza, and was now reviewing it to see if any other steps were needed.
"We have put a security screen around New Zealand, and we have a very tight biosecurity system," he said.
"We can never say never, but the threats at the moment are all in Australia, and Biosecurity here feel it has got everything checked and we are not in immediate danger."
Racing Minister Winston Peters said it has been a buoyant year for racing in New Zealand and the outbreak was "a very serious setback ".
"The best vet advice is being sought and the right steps are being taken to ensure the long-term effects are being minimised," he said.
Everyone is aware of it, it's a significant setback but one that can be overcome."
The wildfire flu
* Horse flu is no threat to human health, but can be spread by human contact with infected horses, and can be carried on clothes, brushes and horse rugs.
* It is highly contagious - the infection rate is almost 100 per cent in populations that have not been previously exposed to the disease.
* It is not fatal, but can cause loss of form, which can greatly affect racing careers and stud value.
* The incubation period is one to three days. Infected horses are reluctant to eat or drink for several days, but usually recover in two to three weeks.
