Major milestone in horse flu eradication

Major milestone in horse flu eradication

The equine influenza (EI) eradication program remains on target with New South Wales and Queensland declaring there are no longer any known infected properties.

Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Andy Carroll said this is a major milestone in the EI recovery effort.

“Surveillance is on schedule and we expect to be able to reclassify the NSW purple zones to green much earlier than originally planned,” Dr Carroll said.

“We expect to complete Proof of Freedom surveillance testing in Queensland by mid-March and to reclassify Queensland’s red zones to green before the end of March.

“The ACT has also been declared EI-free and is now a classified white zone.”

In NSW, several amber areas have been reclassified to white including Armidale/Uralla, Dubbo/Wellington, Grenfell, Gunnedah, Narrabri and Parkes/Forbes.

White zone status allows horse owners to move their horses freely throughout the white zone and into adjoining states provided they obtain the necessary import permits.

Movement restrictions still apply in certain areas and a travelling horse statement (NSW) or waybill (Qld) is required if people intend moving horses.

“This is great news for horse owners and our horse industry,” Dr Carroll said. “We are winning the battle and drawing closer to declaring Australia as being free of EI.

“A lot of hard effort by all involved has helped us eradicate the disease much sooner than expected.

“The combined effort of authorities, industry organisations and especially individual horse owners abiding by movement restrictions, reporting suspect horses and getting horses vaccinated has been the key to success.

“However, we must stay vigilant. Horse owners must maintain good biosecurity measures and report any suspect symptoms immediately.”

“The take home message is to always keep biosecurity in mind.”

Contact Officer:
Dr Andy Carroll DAFF Media +61 2 6272 3232
www.outbreak.gov.au