EI National Situation

Equine Influenza in Australia 2007: Victoria Situation Report
Date: Wednesday 3rd October 2007 – 1800 hrs
Issued by the Department of Primary Industries Victoria, as a service to interested parties in the equestrian and related industries.

Background
The first suspected case of Equine Influenza (EI) was detected at Eastern Creek Quarantine Station in New South Wales on 17 August. Further cases were subsequently detected on other properties.

National Situation
NSW and QLD are both affected by EI. All the other states and territories remain EI free.
Vaccination of horses in NSW regional buffer zones around EI restricted areas (red zones) commenced 29/09/2007. All vaccinations will be used for the eradication campaign only, and there is currently no proposal for any general vaccination of horses. Vaccination other than with the approval of the Chief Veterinary Officer remains illegal.

Vaccination of horses in QLD began on 29th September 2007. This will see the establishment of a large "buffer zone" around the known EI infection areas in the South East Qld Red Zone, as well as vaccination of high risk horse populations within the Red Zone.

Owners should note that vaccinated horses may still be infected, may be carrying the virus, and may infect other horses or be a source of contamination. The vaccine simply acts to reduce the severity of infection and the excretion of virus, thus limiting the spread of the disease.
Government payments are available for workers involved in commercial horse-dependent industries and grants for businesses and non-government and not-for-profit equestrian organisations. For details phone the Centrelink EI Hotline on 1800 234 002 or visit www.centrelink.gov.au and go to the EI link.

The QLD state government has announced a $20 million assistance package for Queenslanders whose livelihoods are affected by the EI outbreak.

The ban on importing horses into Tasmania from the mainland has been reinstated.