New NSW Purple Zone Rules Signal End Of EI

NSW Minister For Primary Industries Ian Macdonald announced that, from yesterday, "people moving horses within the NSW equine influenza Purple Zone must now carry documents proving their horses have immunity from the disease. This additional short-term requirement is an essential step if the Purple Zone is to be declared free from EI in March." The Purple Zone currently extends from south of Sydney through to the Central Coast, Newcastle, Maitland, Scone & Tamworth. Macdonald noted: "We are on target for the March goal, with only 1 property in NSW still having infected horses and about 80% of proof-of-freedom testing successfully completed. Only when testing confirms there are no isolated pockets of infection remaining will we be in a position to revoke the Purple Zone & lift movement restrictions. This should be very soon, if testing continues to confirm that EI has burnt out." NSW chief veterinary officer Bruce Christie said a Travelling Horse Statement & either a Vaccination Certificate or a Certificate Of Immunity must be carried when moving horses within the Purple Zone, adding: "Recovered horses that have been tested receive a Certificate Of Immunity from the veterinary practitioner who took the samples. A Vaccination Certificate is supplied to horse owners when their horses have been fully vaccinated. That is when the horses have received 2 doses of vaccine." The deadline for 1st round vaccinations expired yesterday (Monday) & "the vaccination program is now winding down, with only 2nd round vaccinations due to be completed". A map of the Purple Zone is available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au.