SA vaccination begins

ADELAIDE - Police horses were the first to be vaccinated against equine influenza in South Australia after the National Management Group, coordinating the eradication program for equine influenza, agreed to industry requests for the release of 3200 vaccine doses for use in South Australia.

The vaccine was allocated to protect sectors of the horse industry with high economic value or particular public benefit.

“Vaccination is only to stop horses from getting sick if EI should be brought into South Australia,” said SA Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Rob Rahaley.

Quarantine facilities have been identified at four possible SA sites.

The SA racing industry expects to have completed a vaccination program of horses by the end of the January. In the racing and equestrian groups, vaccination will be done at the industry’s cost.

“It is important for horse owners to understand that vaccination does not mean horses can move freely if infection reached our state. The use of the vaccine in these targeted groups is an insurance policy to stop these horses from becoming sick and allow the horses to resume activities as soon as possible,” Dr Rahaley said.

Specialist equine vets have received training by PIRSA in the use of the vaccine; there are strict guidelines on the use and administration of the vaccine, including the requirement for horses to be accurately identified, including microchipping in some cases.

The vaccine selected for use in Australia has the advantage of allowing laboratory tests can distinguish between horses vaccinated with it compared with horses that are infected with the disease.

More than 66 equestrian events have been approved by the SA Department of Primary Industries, but event organisers are being asked submit their permit applications well in advance of the event they are organising.

Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Rob Rahaley said that depending on the type of event planned, some permit assessments could take several days.

“It’s not simply a rubber stamping process,” he said. “Staff not only assess the application but often contact the applicants to discuss possible improvements and for clarification of the organiser’s biosecurity and contingency plans.

“We need to be assured that event organisers and event participants both understand and are able to manage the risks and the implications of a potential disease outbreak in this state.”

Dr Rahaley said “Ideally, event organisers should submit their permits at least one month ahead of the planned event.”

Each event receiving approval is given a unique number and horse owners wanting to take their animals to an approved event need to complete an Event

Participant Declaration and include the permit number on the Declaration.

“We are working hard to facilitate a resumption of horse activities but for as long as equine influenza remains in Australia, we must manage the risk involved with horses and people gathering,” Dr Rahaley said.

For more information phone 1800 675 888 or visit http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/horseflu