There are currently 1386 infected properties, 368 dangerous contact properties and 342 suspect properties. The new infected properties reported yesterday continue to occur in existing restricted areas. Approximately 60% of NSW remains completely free of the virus.
The new zoning strategy has been announced today. The aim of the zoning strategy will be to contain the area of infection within containment lines, whilst enabling movement under strict movement guidelines applicable to each zone. Vaccination will be used to provide buffer-zones around the infected areas, preventing property-to-property drift to areas that are currently not infected. It is unlikely that broadscale vaccination of horses within the infected zones will be allowed.
A policy to allow foaling mares to move under permit in certain circumstances has been developed. See the movements page on the website (www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza/movements) for more details.
The number of Restricted Areas remains at 23.
The spread of infection from property to property remains very high in areas around Windsor, Wilberforce, Annangrove, Dubbo, Maraylya, Terrey Hills, French’s Forest and Gosford. It is suspected that property to property spread is happening by transfer of aerosol droplets. This type of transfer will be much less likely to occur as our weather warms up. The virus is sensitive to heat and UV light.
It is now about a month since the first cases occurred in New South Wales. Testing has been conducted at the Centennial Park stables and the Police Stables at Redfern to measure the rate of recovery of horses after infection. On tests to date it would appear that the horses may be clear of infection after 28 days. The PCR test on nasal swabs that is being used at NSW DPI’s Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute is extremely sensitive at detecting the virus. It is the first time this test has been used to diagnose equine Influenza and it is proving to be quick and accurate.
Although there will still be some restrictions on where they can move, this work will assist owners whose horses are still in lockdown to get their horses cleared to move home. It will also help determine when quarantine restrictions can be lifted on quarantined properties.
A four-colour zoning system has been introduced that will see restrictions on horse movements softened in some areas of the State, particularly in the west and south of the State, which remain free of disease. See the full media release (http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/recent-news/agriculture-news-releases/zones-next-phase-in-fight)
A horse owner’s information package and community awareness poster will be circulated to all DPI staff and offices, RLPB offices and local councils today. This package will also be circulated to a large number of other government and non-government agencies. The package addresses a number of key issues, and will also be posted on the website.
Endurance riders from the Australian Endurance Riders Association have been tackling equine influenza (EI) by circulating current, accurate information obtained by email from NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) electronically among their members, spreading the word via their own NSW ERA chat line. (http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horse/influenza/news-releases/media-releases/endurance-riders-take-the-electronic-path-to-tackle-ei)
The following resources are available on the NSW DPI website. Print out and distribute what you can. The further the message spreads the better.
• Equine influenza in NSW - overview
• What is equine influenza? (includes video of horses showing signs)
• Information for all horse owners
• What happens if my property is quarantined?
• Support services (including health and financial matters)
NSW equine influenza hotline: 1800 675 888 or email hotline@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza
Feedback or suggestions for this update, email commed.sdchq@dpi.nsw.gov.au
These updates will be issued each weekday for as long as necessary.
Reading someone else’s copy? Register on the Horse Emergency Contact Database at www.horsecouncil.org.au to receive these updates by email.