Another win in EI fight

EIGHT locations in country NSW have been downgraded from red to amber zones in what government officials are hailing as another step forward in the fight against equine influenza (EI). Five of the reclassified zones are in the central west towns of Dubbo, Wellington, Forbes, Parkes and parts of the Grenfell district, with the remaining three in the north-west areas of Gunnedah, Narrabri and Walcha.
“These areas are now part of the lower-risk amber zone where there is still a risk of infection, but no known infection,'' NSW Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said.
“The green zone has also been marginally increased by less than one per cent of NSW to free up movement restrictions for some horses previously in the amber zone.
“Extending the green zone has enabled movement restrictions to be eased in some areas near Dubbo, Wellington, Young, Southern Highlands, Illawarra and along the Queensland border.''
Mr MacDonald said the downgrading of the eight zones was an important milestone.
“This is another step towards having NSW horse flu free by the end of March,'' he said.
“`There are currently infected horses on less than 50 properties in NSW and no new EI infections have been detected since 21 December 2007. These are certainly hopeful signs.
“The cooperation and support of horse owners has been crucial in getting to this point.
They must remain vigilant and continue their efforts until we have finally won this battle.
“Only then can we reap the rewards for all the hardships endured over the last five months.
“It remains vital in the short term to report sick horses, enforce biosecurity and abide by movement restrictions.''
More than 85 per cent of NSW is now classified as a green zone, nine per cent an amber zone, two per cent as red and three per cent as purple, including Sydney.

AAP