Australian government officials have confirmed that the outbreak of equine influenza has spread beyond Sydney into rural New South Wales and across the state border into Queensland.
The outbreak that has brought Australia's multi-billion horse racing industry to a standstill is starting to spread, with hundreds of horses now displaying symptoms of the disease.
15 of Ireland's leading stallions are among 80 horses being held at two quarantine centres in Sydney and Melbourne.
The stallions are in Australia for the highly lucrative breeding season which begins next month.
