Macdonald: vaccines for horse flu buffer zones in NSW
About 10,000 shots of horse flu vaccine will be imported for use in new special Equine Influenza (EI) buffer zones in NSW, Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, said today.
Minister Macdonald said the move comes as the racing industry gears up for crowds to return trackside to Rosehill on Saturday.
“The vaccine represents the next phase in the campaign to eradicate the exotic horse flu which has now infected more than 1000 properties in NSW,” he said.
“Vaccine will be imported once the Federal Government’s office of the Gene Technology Regulator signs off on this initiative – I have already written to them on this important matter.
“There is national agreement that we must use the vaccine strategically and with precision to stay one step ahead of the disease with the ultimate aim of eradication.
“I want to make it absolutely clear from the start that the vaccine will NOT be made available to each and every horse owner in NSW - it just won’t work that way.
“Exhaustive tracing, surveillance and mapping efforts mean we now have a good handle on where the disease is. This knowledge makes vaccine use in buffer zones the best option to contain and eradicate. Using vaccine earlier in the campaign, without the information we have now, would have been flying blind.”
Minister Macdonald said the Iemma Government’s approach to disease management had the full support of the National Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases and the National Management Group.
“However, all involved in this crisis must not see vaccine as the silver bullet, or the answer to all the problems thrown up by the EI outbreak,” he said.
“Biosecurity, hygiene and movement restrictions remain vitally important to our effort to contain this disease. We also need to determine just how this got into NSW in the first place.”
Minister Macdonald said vaccine use in NSW involves:
- Buffer zones established around known EI hot spots – about 10km width.
- About 5000 horses will be vaccinated twice at an interval of 14 days.
- Identification of horses using microchip.
- Co-operation from horse owners in the buffer zones.
Mr Macdonald said that to ensure the most successful use of vaccine, the NSW Department of Primary Industries would define four risk zones across NSW.
“The zones are currently being defined and will be announced later in the week,” he said.
“The standstill on all horse movements remains.”
Minister Macdonald said there was some good news for the hard-pressed racing industry with crowds to be allowed trackside at Rosehill this weekend for the first time since the bans on horse movement were put in place almost a month ago.
“Rosehill management are expecting about 7000 people to attend,” he said.
“Of course strict biosecurity measures will be in place at Rosehill but it will be good to see people back trackside in NSW for the first time.”
Biosecurity Measures at Rosehill this Saturday include:
- People will be restricted to the grandstand (and public area behind and just in front). This includes bookies, bar, toilets and food facilities.
- All horse areas will be shut off by a barrier. Areas will be clearly marked and security guards will be present.
- Full biosecurity for all involved in the red zone (area where authorised people are coming into contact with horses) this includes cleaning shoes/ changing clothes and washing hands etc when leaving.
- Jockeys have to have clean gear and not be in contact with other horses for the previous 72 hrs.
- All barrier attendants must not have had contact with risk areas.
MEDIA RELEASE: NSW DPI - 17 September
