NZ Retesting EI-Positive Samples From US Imports

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand announced it is "retesting samples taken from horses imported directly from the US to the Karaka quarantine facility (in Auckland) due to conflicting test results". Ten horses imported from the US on March 23 "have had conflicting tests results for equine influenza: they tested negative prior to export in the US but positive when in quarantine in NZ". All the horses "appear healthy & are not showing any symptoms of disease". MAFBNZ's Import Standards Group Manager Clive Gower-Collins warned: "There is a strong indication that cross-contamination in the laboratory was the reason for the positive results. The laboratory will be conducting further tests over the weekend to confirm this is so. Further investigations will also be made to ascertain how the tests in NZ became contaminated." As a precaution MAFBNZ moved quickly to "lock down" the Karaka facility & "no horses will be allowed to leave or enter the site & no visitors will be permitted entry". The horses have been in quarantine since their arrival from the US in a secure facility "so there is no risk to the NZ horse population." NZ Racing Board chief executive Graeme Hansen added: "The horses in question were picked up during standard quarantine procedures & we are pleased MAFBNZ has moved quickly & taken every precaution in the protection of our industry."