A suspected case of equine influenza (EI) at Sydney's Eastern Creek quarantine station should not be cause for panic, experts say.In August last year EI escaped Eastern Creek and infiltrated the general horse populations of NSW and Queensland with devastating effect.The multi-million dollar racing industry was shut down in both states for three months and unprecedented restrictions on horse movement put in place.A subsequent inquiry determined basic protocols at the government-run Eastern Creek

A suspected case of equine influenza (EI) at Sydney's Eastern Creek quarantine station should not be cause for panic, experts say.

In August last year EI escaped Eastern Creek and infiltrated the general horse populations of NSW and Queensland with devastating effect.

The multi-million dollar racing industry was shut down in both states for three months and unprecedented restrictions on horse movement put in place.

A subsequent inquiry determined basic protocols at the government-run Eastern Creek station were not followed and the disease was more than likely transported out of the centre on a human or equipment that had been in contact with an infected horse.

Tests on one of 74 horses currently housed at the centre after travelling from overseas have returned both positive and negative results to EI and all 74 will undergo further testing.

The horse is believed to have been imported from the United Kingdom.

Federal Agriculture minister Tony Burke said he had been advised that all quarantine procedures, including decontamination as recommended by the Callinan inquiry into last year's outbreak, were being observed.

He said all the horses would remain at Eastern Creek until it was certain there was no risk of infection.

"If there's a view that there are quarantine risks then they remain in the quarantine station and I've set no timelines beyond that," Mr Burke said.

"Right at this point, I'm not at the stage of being able to say it's time to relax because the second result came back as a negative.

"We know how devastating it (EI) was a year ago.

"The billion-dollar figure is often quoted, the truth is we'll never know the full cost of that outbreak."

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'Landys said Saturday's feature Randwick meeting was in no danger even if the latest test was positive.

He said there was no need for panic as all the state's racing stock was immunised.

"It highlights that thoroughbreds are in the best position because they have been vaccinated," V'Landys said.

"We can sleep a little bit easier knowing that.

"There is no need for panic. Even if the test comes back positive, it will be business as usual for us."

But NSW Primary Industries minister Ian Macdonald was cautious, saying even the best procedures might not be enough to contain another outbreak.

"There's great upgrades in place there now and, hopefully, it could be contained," he said.

"But I believe that system failure is with us right around the world. That the best walls often are breached and maybe we need to look at other measures to ensure we never have a standstill again in the industry."

The results of the tests on the 74 horse are not expected to be known until the weekend.

All horses imported to Australia are vaccinated against EI with Australia and New Zealand the only two countries in the world with large commercial horses populations not to enforce vaccination.