NSW Equine influenza daily update - 25 September 2007

BUFFER ZONES

Containing horse flu is similar to fighting a bushfire; buffer zones, like firebreaks, work best where there are natural barriers and a low level of fuel. Susceptible horses are the fuel for the Equine Influenza fire. Buffer zones are being established in NSW in areas of low density of horses and the susceptibility of horses in the buffer zones will be dampened down by vaccination.

Buffer zones are an essential part of DPI’s plan to contain Equine Influenza by stopping the property-to-property spread. Owners of horses within the buffer zones will have two alternatives:

• voluntary movement of their horses out of the buffer zone or
• compulsory vaccination and an indefinite standstill.

It is important that horses vaccinated in the buffer zone stay where they are. Vaccinated horses can still get infected and spread the virus.
The buffer zones will be at least 10 km wide. There will be ‘doughnut’ buffer zones around the isolated Restricted Areas at Parkes, Dubbo, Tamworth, Armidale, Berry, Wauchope, Nowendoc and Mudgee. There will be a southern ‘plug’ buffer zone south of Picton and around the escarpment above Wollongong. There will be a northern ‘plug’ buffer zone between Stroud and Gloucester north of Newcastle. There will be a broad buffer at the Liverpool Range in the Upper Hunter area.

It will be increasingly vital for horse owners to comply with movement restrictions and to practice stringent biosecurity. Recent EI outbreaks at Warwick Farm, Brisbane or Scenic Hills Riding Ranch are almost certainly due to spread of infection by humans. This disease is highly infectious. The safest policy is not to allow anyone who has contact with other horses onto your property.

Although the total number of infected properties is growing steadily, these are within our expectations. Apart from the new infected properties found around Armidale, the infected properties are still within the containment lines and buffer zones.

SITUATION UPDATE
There are currently 2242 Infected Properties, 340 Dangerous Contact Properties and 312 Suspect Properties. Now that zoning has been implemented, we will no longer report on Restricted Areas, unless the current number changes. Some adjustments at the interface of the amber and red zones are now taking place.

As part of the NSW DPI’s buffer zones strategy, development of vaccination handling orders and protocols is under way for use of vaccine in the two major buffer zones north of Newcastle and south of Sydney. Vaccination is planned to commence on the weekend following the delivery of vaccine to Sydney on Thursday. Vaccination will only be permitted under the approval of NSW DPI’s Chief Veterinary Officer.

An intensive survey to confirm the number of horses and their locations in the southern buffer has been completed. The process for the northern buffer commenced today.

As reported yesterday we are now starting to see properties that suffered the first wave of infection coming out the other side, with projected outbreak scenarios predicting a continued high incidence of Infected Properties for the next month or so followed by a variable rate of decline over succeeding months.

The Community Education branch is currently establishing extension teams, with the help of Forward Command Posts and industry representatives, to arrange community consultative committee meetings. These meetings will be held in strategic locations throughout NSW.
The distribution of community information packages and posters continues, with all NSW local councils and NSW universities receiving these. Over 50 organisations are now distributing these packages to their members and to the public. The NSW Department of Education and Training are now working with Community Education to distribute a one-page flyer prior to school holidays.

IN THE NEWS
Kembla Grange racetrack near Wollongong remains free from equine influenza following NSW DPI testing over night. Two horses were showing signs consistent with the disease but have returned negative tests for EI. They will remain under close veterinary observation.

NSW Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Steve Dunn discusses latest developments in Equine Influenza control program. Topics include, negative test results for Kembla Grange, racing at Coffs Harbour and vaccinations. Audio link.

See http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horse/influenza/news-releases/media-releases/kembla-grangeAs reported yesterday, a riding school near Campbelltown have tested positive to equine influenza. See http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horse/influenza/news-releases/media-releases/riding-school-near-campbelltown-tests-positive-to-horse-flu