Equine influenza daily update - 22 October 2007

SITUATION UPDATE
A new infection is currently being investigated in the northern part of the Dubbo vaccination buffer area. All other infected properties reported in the past 24 hours are in the Red and Purple Zones.

Today’s statistics: 4919 Infected Properties (IPs); 451 Dangerous Contact Properties (DCPs); 476 Suspect Properties (SPs); a total of 6731 horses out of 13476 have been vaccinated in the buffer areas so far.

Surveillance testing is currently being implemented at Coonamble, Coonabarabran, Berry, Walcha and Gloucester Tops. Negative results from this campaign will allow the status for these Red Zones to be modified.
Planning for recovery after the EI crisis is also an important component of the EI campaign. The establishment of a number of industry consultative groups has been proposed to assist with the management of the recovery process for equine industries.

Horse owners are reminded that observing the recommended biosecurity measures for personal hygiene is critical for the EI eradication campaign to be successful. Ensuring that people entering your property have undertaken the necessary personal hygiene recommendations is the easiest way to protect your horses.

In response to the confusion surrounding the responsibilities of individuals when crossing zone boundaries the RTA have placed mobile signs on some boundaries to notify the travelling public of the zone they are entering or leaving.

Survey of uninfected horses

Horse owners are reminded that the survey of uninfected horses in the Red or Purple Zones has been extended. If you are in these zones and have uninfected horses, please complete the survey at : http://www.surveymaster.com/AHIC/Q1.asp

Vaccinations

Vaccination of the prioritised horses identified by the Australian Horse Industry Council uninfected horse survey will commence in the Purple Zone after Wednesday 24 October. The operation will be coordinated by the Local Disease Control Centre (LDCC) using the existing Forward Command Posts (FCP).

The EFA have commenced vaccinations of EFA registered horses in the Purple Zone. They will also be vaccinating all other horses present on the property during the visit.

Current information on the vaccination program can be found at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza/vaccination

Registration of infected horses

Horse owners are reminded that infected horses and properties must be
registered on the DPI website at: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horse/influenza/information/horse-owners-restricted-areas/form

Movement of horses

To date, there have been 3403 movement permits issued by the Local Disease Control Centre (LDCC).
The movement of horses for training in the Amber Zone has been assessed and there have been some modifications granted to the movement restrictions. The relevant changes to the movement restrictions are published on the web at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horse/influenza/movements/amber-zone
Current information on the guidelines for the all movements of horses can be found at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza/movements

Community meetings

The community meetings organised for this week are:
Monday 22 October: Maitland, Gulgong and Grenfell.
Tuesday 23 October: Gloucester, Blayney, Bathurst and West Wyalong
Wednesday 24 October: Albion Park, Mangrove Mountain, Cessnock, Oberon and Coolamon.

Thursday 25 October: Rylestone, Goulburn, Armidale and Temora.
For information about community meetings and future meeting dates see:www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza/meetings