Hundreds of Far North Coast horses tested for EI As part of Red Zone looks to go Amber

30 Oct 2007

Hundreds of horses across the State’s Far North Coast are being tested for equine influenza (EI) to prove the region is free from the contagious disease, Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, said today.

“This is the next step in the State Government’s EI Protection Plan to stamp out EI and return life to normal as quickly as possible for the State’s horse owners,” Minister Macdonald said.

“Currently there are 5221 infected properties in NSW and 41,514 infected horses - none of these are located on North Coast.

“Veterinary teams are being deployed to take blood samples from 60 properties in each Local Government Area (LGA). A total of 900 properties will be tested.

“The properties will be selected at random and consent will be obtained from owners to allow samples to be taken. There is no cost for owners.
“There is no doubt this is a very big job. But it is equally important to prove the North Coast is EI free and ultimately move it to Green Zone status which will free-up movement restrictions.

“Negative test results will provide the other States with confidence that there is no scientific evidence of horse flu on our Far North Coast.”
Meanwhile, Minister Macdonald said the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) believes EI infection at Berry, Moree, Coonamble, Wauchope and Walcha had run its cycle and has been contained.

“This signals a potential change in zoning status for all or part of a number of regions including Moree Plains, Gwydir, Coonamble and Warrumbungle LGAs,” Minister Macdonald said.

“We are now undertaking testing to resolve the status of these locations.
“The State Government is working to move these areas from Red to Amber in the very near future, but must be certain that there is no disease existing before it does so.

“The very reason this is a possibility is that local horse owners have exercised very thorough bio-security. This has prevented the disease spreading and as a result it has burnt itself out.”