Another win in the battle against horse flu

Berry and Wauchope equine influenza (EI) Red Zone restricted areas have been revoked following confirmation that both areas are now free from EI, NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, said today.

“Confirmation that Berry and Wauchope are now EI free follows exhaustive investigations and testing of horses over the past six weeks,” Minister Macdonald said.
“Red Zones established after EI was detected in both areas have now been changed to Amber, freeing up some movement restrictions, easing disinfection requirements and allowing the resumption of some horse racing events.

“Testing for horse flu has cleared every horse on the infected properties and all horses that have been in contact with infected animals since the outbreak.

“In the Berry region alone investigations involved interviewing 1500 property owners within a five kilometre radius of the infected property.
“This is a sign of things to come throughout infected areas during the recovery phase.

“Every infected region will also need to go through comprehensive tests and meticulous investigations to demonstrate their freedom from EI.”

NSW chief veterinary officer, Bruce Christie, stressed that movement restrictions and biosecurity standards still need to be maintained throughout NSW if EI is to be controlled and eradicated,
“This is a small but significant step in the marathon battle to eradicate horse flu from NSW, but I want to make it absolutely clear that we have a way to go,” Mr Christie said.

“Every person in NSW who comes into contact with horses still has both a moral and a legal responsibility to play their part.

“All it takes is one for person to carry the extremely contagious equine influenza virus to a horse property in a clean district and we will be starting all over again.”