International animal health authorities informed of EI freedom

DAFF08/008D

4 April 2008

International animal health authorities informed of EI freedom

Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Andy Carroll has informed international animal health authorities of Australia’s freedom from equine influenza (EI).

This advice to international authorities reinforces the message to our trading partners that Australia’s horse industries are again "open for business”.

Speaking from Canberra today Dr Carroll said that formal notifications had been sent to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the Animal Health Trust and ProMED.

“On 14 March 2008 horses were again able to move freely within Australia - this is a significant animal health achievement.  It highlights Australia’s capacity to identify, diagnose and manage animal disease incursions, as well as our highly developed and effective emergency management systems,” said Dr Carroll.

“Assuming no evidence of active EI infection is found, on June 30 2008 Australia will confirm that the EI virus is no longer present. Monitoring and surveillance for EI will continue, consistent with OIE requirements and as part of our ongoing surveillance for exotic disease.

“Since December 2007 over 32 000 horses have been tested with negative results. The multi-faceted surveillance program has included epidemiological, clinical and laboratory investigations,” said Dr Carroll

Following the diagnosis of EI in late August 2007, Australia implemented a rigorous control and eradication program. The response included an initial national horse standstill, movement controls, trace-forward and trace-back, strict biosecurity measures and strategic vaccination in buffer zones and infected areas. Extensive surveillance was also undertaken in both affected and unaffected regions.

Media contact
Australian Chief Veterinary Officer – Dr Andy Carroll DAFF Media +61 2 6272 3232