Equine influenza daily update - 14 November 2007

Callinan Inquiry

The long anticipated public hearings started yesterday with Dr James Gilkerson, a veterinarian specialising in horse diseases, who is assisting the Inquiry. Dr Gilkerson spent about a week at the State Disease Control Headquarters helping to set up the vaccination program. His evidence has been widely reported in the press, describing the Quarantine procedures as “inadequate”.

Full transcripts of the Inquiry are available daily at: http://www.equineinfluenzainquiry.gov.au/

Movements out of the purple zone

Media reports describing that Kembla Grange racecourse would be added to the purple zone are incorrect. There are plans to allow movement of racehorses from Kembla to Randwick for racing but their movement back to Kembla would be dependent on them doing 2 weeks in quarantine.
Similar conditions are being developed for competitions and sales in the purple zone. Meetings with RAS, Ag Shows, EFA, Quarter horses, Arabs, Stockhorses, ABCRA, Endurance, Pony Clubs this week are clarifying what events can be held and under what conditions. The conditions for movement will need approval by the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD). The conditions will be detailed as soon as they are approved.

Movement of imported horses out of Eastern Creek

There have been changes made in the policy regarding the movement of imported horses out of the quarantine centre at Eastern Creek. At this time, imported horses may be moved from Eastern Creek Quarantine Station to any premises within a purple zone. They are not permitted to move to an Amber zone, a vaccination buffer zone or a green zone.

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