NSW DPI 29/09/07

This morning the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) deployed veterinary vaccination teams south of Sydney to vaccinate almost 300 horses as part of the southern buffer zone near Mittagong.

“Ponies, donkeys, miniature horses and companion horses are part of the first wave of animals vaccinated north of Mittagong today,” NSW DPI deputy chief veterinary officer, Steve Dunn, said today.

“This is part of our plan to create a wall of immunity to prevent the disease creeping out into unaffected regions.”

To create the southern buffer the NSW DPI has:

• Ground truthed horse properties and horse numbers;
• Allocated supplies of horse flu vaccine;
• Assembled expert veterinary teams; and
• Implemented strict biosecurity policies for teams to operate by.

“There has been strong support from each and every horse owner contacted by the NSW DPI about the vaccination of their horses in the buffer,” Mr Dunn said.

“Owners are aware that their horses will be identified by micro-chip and also tested for EI as a precautionary measure.”

Mr Dunn said the State’s horse owners needed to understand that vaccine would NOT be made available widely.

“From the outset we have made it absolutely clear that there will not be a free-for-all when it comes to this vaccine,” he said.

“We are using it strategically and with precision to prevent the spread of the disease from known infection sites.”

“Coupled with zoning arrangements now in place across NSW, the EI control and eradication campaign still hinges on vigilance from horse owners and the general community.”