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Tuesday, 2 October 2007

Gates open at Moonbi and Parkes EI Lockdowns - DPI NSW

02 Oct 2007
Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, today said some horses in lockdown at Moonbi and Parkes will today be allowed to move to properties in either the red or purple equine influenza (EI) zones.

“However, horses will not be allowed to return to the EI-free green zone or to the low risk amber zone at this stage,” Minister Macdonald said.

“Veterinarians from the NSW DPI are confident that the Parkes and Moonbi horses that will be released have developed immunity to EI and have recovered from symptoms.
“However, further assurance is required before these horses can enter the green and amber zones. The last thing we need is the virus spreading into the EI-free parts of NSW.
“Owners moving horses from Moonbi and Parkes will require a permit from the NSW DPI.”
Minister Macdonald said this is very welcome news for the people at Moonbi and Parkes.
“There is no doubt they will be very happy to return to normal life as quickly as possible,” he said.

“At Moonbi there are 35 horses in lockdown and 32 horses at Parkes and these horse owners have found themselves caught up in the middle of the EI outbreak through no fault of their own.

“It has been more than 35 days since the lockdown was put in place. Many of these people haven’t left their horses’ side this whole time. Their focus has been on the health of their animals.

“I thank each and every one of them for their patience and dedication to see that their horses make a full recovery.

“The NSW DPI is now looking very closely at Centennial Park and the NSW Police horse stables to determine when quarantine restrictions may be lifted.”

Minister Macdonald said that after weeks of testing and observation, the decision was made to allow Moonbi and Parkes horses to move - but only into the red or purple zones and not the EI free green zone or low risk amber zone.

“It has now been more than 30 days since the last horse at both of these sites showed clinical signs of horse flu,” he said.

“We must do everything in our power to keep as much of NSW EI free as possible.
“This means keeping the green zone clean and ultimately growing it into new parts of NSW as our confidence increases that these areas are free of EI infection.”

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