Equine Influenza Talking Points
Equine Influenza Talking Points; as distributed by the Federal Government
28 September 2007
NSW and QLD have introduced zoning in areas affected by EI in an effort to both minimise the spread of the disease and to allow (in certain circumstances) movements of horses to occur.
It is critical that everyone involved in the livestock industries and people who come into contact with horses, continue to be on the highest alert and maintain heightened biosecurity precautions.
Apart from horses, the movement of people, equipment and vehicles pose the highest risk for spreading the disease.
VACCINATION
Vaccination is not a “silver bullet” to solve the current EI outbreak. High levels of biosecurity and movement controls must continue to be observed if control of EI is to occur.
The vaccine will be used to implement identified buffer zones in NSW and QLD.
The use of vaccination to protect high value, at risk horse populations outside the buffer zones in NSW and QLD will be permitted, with appropriate safeguards. This is consistent with AUSVETPLAN.
Horses associated with the Victorian spring racing carnival will be vaccinated.
The first shipment of 20 000 doses of EI vaccine has arrived in Australia. Additional doses are expected to arrive late next week.
The vaccine will be bar-coded to allow for stock control and then moved through a cold-chain distribution network to the State Vaccination Centres.
The vaccine can only be used under the authority of the relevant state Chief Veterinary Officers who are responsible for administering the vaccine and complying with the vaccination protocols.
Vaccines will be administered by registered veterinarians following direction from the relevant state CVO.
All horses that receive the vaccine will be identified via microchip.
Personal importation of the vaccine is not permitted.
ProteqFlu is a recombinant vaccine which has been shown to provide immunity protection and reduce shedding of virus 14 days after a single dose. A second booster vaccination is required to ensure adequate duration of immunity. Further boosters may be required six months later.
The OIE has been advised that the virus has been identified as the Wisconsin strain.
GENERAL MESSAGE
The importance of not moving horses, ponies and donkeys is as critical as ever. NSW, the ACT and Queensland continue movement restrictions in certain zones.
These restrictions mean horses, ponies and donkeys; their equipment and floats or trucks must not be moved off properties in those areas.
The eradication of EI relies on stopping the spread of the disease – and the only way this will occur is if people comply with movement restrictions and adhere to strict biosecurity guidelines.
Non essential gatherings of horses and donkeys continue to be discouraged in all other states and territories.
Evidence to this time suggests that EI has been contained to specific geographic areas in NSW and Queensland.
Surveillance activities in all states will continue unchanged. Suspect cases of EI must be reported to state authorities. It is an offence not to report.
Anyone who has any contact with horses has a responsibility to help stop the spread of EI. It is clear that some spread has been directly through people movement.
Shower and change into clean clothes and footwear and blow nose thoroughly after contact with a horse, even if the animal is showing no flu symptom.
All equipment which comes into contact with horses must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each use.
People should not relax. Everyone must comply with horse movement restrictions, maintain good biosecurity practices and report suspect cases of the disease early.
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The Australian Government initially provided assistance of $4 million for those in the horse industry directly affected by the standstill.
On September 9, a further $110 million was provided for a range of assistance measures.
A call centre has been established to provide general information to horse owners and to register for assistance (Hardship Grants) if employed in the horse industry. The number is 1800 234 002 website information is available at www.outbreak.gov.au
28 September 2007
NSW and QLD have introduced zoning in areas affected by EI in an effort to both minimise the spread of the disease and to allow (in certain circumstances) movements of horses to occur.
It is critical that everyone involved in the livestock industries and people who come into contact with horses, continue to be on the highest alert and maintain heightened biosecurity precautions.
Apart from horses, the movement of people, equipment and vehicles pose the highest risk for spreading the disease.
VACCINATION
Vaccination is not a “silver bullet” to solve the current EI outbreak. High levels of biosecurity and movement controls must continue to be observed if control of EI is to occur.
The vaccine will be used to implement identified buffer zones in NSW and QLD.
The use of vaccination to protect high value, at risk horse populations outside the buffer zones in NSW and QLD will be permitted, with appropriate safeguards. This is consistent with AUSVETPLAN.
Horses associated with the Victorian spring racing carnival will be vaccinated.
The first shipment of 20 000 doses of EI vaccine has arrived in Australia. Additional doses are expected to arrive late next week.
The vaccine will be bar-coded to allow for stock control and then moved through a cold-chain distribution network to the State Vaccination Centres.
The vaccine can only be used under the authority of the relevant state Chief Veterinary Officers who are responsible for administering the vaccine and complying with the vaccination protocols.
Vaccines will be administered by registered veterinarians following direction from the relevant state CVO.
All horses that receive the vaccine will be identified via microchip.
Personal importation of the vaccine is not permitted.
ProteqFlu is a recombinant vaccine which has been shown to provide immunity protection and reduce shedding of virus 14 days after a single dose. A second booster vaccination is required to ensure adequate duration of immunity. Further boosters may be required six months later.
The OIE has been advised that the virus has been identified as the Wisconsin strain.
GENERAL MESSAGE
The importance of not moving horses, ponies and donkeys is as critical as ever. NSW, the ACT and Queensland continue movement restrictions in certain zones.
These restrictions mean horses, ponies and donkeys; their equipment and floats or trucks must not be moved off properties in those areas.
The eradication of EI relies on stopping the spread of the disease – and the only way this will occur is if people comply with movement restrictions and adhere to strict biosecurity guidelines.
Non essential gatherings of horses and donkeys continue to be discouraged in all other states and territories.
Evidence to this time suggests that EI has been contained to specific geographic areas in NSW and Queensland.
Surveillance activities in all states will continue unchanged. Suspect cases of EI must be reported to state authorities. It is an offence not to report.
Anyone who has any contact with horses has a responsibility to help stop the spread of EI. It is clear that some spread has been directly through people movement.
Shower and change into clean clothes and footwear and blow nose thoroughly after contact with a horse, even if the animal is showing no flu symptom.
All equipment which comes into contact with horses must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each use.
People should not relax. Everyone must comply with horse movement restrictions, maintain good biosecurity practices and report suspect cases of the disease early.
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The Australian Government initially provided assistance of $4 million for those in the horse industry directly affected by the standstill.
On September 9, a further $110 million was provided for a range of assistance measures.
A call centre has been established to provide general information to horse owners and to register for assistance (Hardship Grants) if employed in the horse industry. The number is 1800 234 002 website information is available at www.outbreak.gov.au
posted by Horse Deals at
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