Qld EI Buffer Zone Plan
Equine influenza buffer zone plan
- Background
- The buffer zone in Queensland
- Registration
- Vaccination program
- Movement restrictions
- Veterinary program and costs
- More information
- Additional advice for horse owners in the Vaccination Buffer Zone
Background
Containment leading to eradication remains as Queensland's aim for dealing with Equine Influenza (EI). However a revised vaccination policy outlined below means that eradication may now occur over a longer period.
The original strategy of establishing a series of smaller buffer zones has been revised after a number of outbreaks in new locations in South East Queensland.
Although occurring within the "red zone" of restricted horse movements, several inexplicable outbreaks have occurred since 23 September 2007. These made the planned vaccination of buffer zones inappropriate.
A large "buffer zone" around the known areas of horse flu infection will now be established in the South East Queensland Red Zone.
In parallel with this strategy, vaccination of high risk - high performance horse populations within the Red Zone will be progressively implemented to minimise the economic impact on the industry.
The buffer zone in Queensland
Widespread vaccination alone has never resulted in successful eradication of the disease. However vaccination can be used strategically to create an area of horses with increased immunity to the disease to limit spread of infection out of south-east Queensland.
Horses within a vaccination buffer zone approximately 10km wide around the infected area in south-east Queensland will be vaccinated.
The buffer zone has been developed taking into account natural features such as escarpments, mountain ranges, national parks and other areas of low horse populations. This has been done so that the buffer can be developed in south-east Queensland with the fewest possible vaccinations. Horses in the buffer zone should be free of EI infection.
The amount of vaccine that is available for the vaccination buffer zone in Queensland is very limited because of the limited global supply. Unfortunately this means that many people wanting to vaccinate their horses will not be able to. The best way to protect your animals from EI, and to assist in eradicating the disease, is to maintain strict biosecurity measures following DPI&F guidelines.
Registration
All horses that have been vaccinated will be identified by micro chip, registered and this information will be stored in a database. Properties with horses in the buffer zone will also be registered in the current Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) Agricultural Property System database. Owners of horses in the vaccination buffer zone will be contacted and they will receive a full explanation of the vaccination program.
Vaccination program
The vaccination program is mandatory and will involve two doses of the vaccine a few weeks apart and a booster approximately six months later. Horse owners should be aware that occasionally a vaccination reaction may occur with localised swelling around the injection site. More severe reactions are very rare.
Vaccination does not completely eliminate the risk of a horse becoming infected and spreading the virus. Therefore, it is important that vaccinated horses continue to be monitored daily and any signs of EI, such as a fever, coughing or nasal discharge, are reported to your local veterinarian or DPI&F.
Movement restrictions
Special movement restrictions will remain in place for horses in the EI buffer zone. Vaccinated horses must comply with current movement restrictions and must not be moved from their property.
Veterinary program and costs
A team of specially trained veterinary surgeons will be deployed to conduct the vaccination and identification program. It is anticipated that, in many instances, private veterinarians will vaccinate their own clients' horses. There is no cost for vaccination for horses in the Vaccination Buffer Zone.
More information
More information for horse owners in the vaccination buffer zone is attached to this fact sheet.
A set of fact sheets are available on the DPI&F website including Frequent Asked Questions (FAQs) about vaccination, and movement restrictions for those horses that are in the restricted zone.
All horse owners should register online so they receive the DPI&F Equine Influenza Update e-newsletter at: www.dpi.qld.gov.au/equine-influenza
Additional advice for horse owners in the Vaccination Buffer Zone
About the vaccination:
- Check the DPIF& website http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/ to determine if you are in the vaccination buffer zone.
- Obey all notices of direction from the DPI&F for vaccination and micro-chipping and completing necessary paperwork.
- Obey all the requirements for effective biosecurity and decontamination.
- Obey the requirements for micro-chipping of your horse
Horse owners should:
- Obey all quarantine notices and notices of direction from the DPI&F
- Not allow people onto your property or stable without permission and only let them enter if proper disinfection is used first, especially if they have come from a horse property in Red Zone in the last 48 hours
- Minimise unnecessary contact of people with horses.
- Avoid people or equipment moving between horses at different locations unless absolutely necessary
- Not share halters, bridles, saddles or feed bins with other horses or horse owners.
Anyone coming in contact with horses (including horse owners, farriers, equine dentists and chiropracters, horse strappers, vets and other animal carers) should:
- Disinfect all equipment used
- Shower, wash your hair and change into fresh clothing
- Disinfect footwear.
- Not come in contact with other horses for a minimum of 24 hours
- Read the guidelines for horse owners, farriers, vets equine chiropractors and strappers on the DPI&F website.
Observe all horse movement conditions and restrictions:
- Horses can not move from their current property when it is in the Vaccination Buffer Zone
Horse owners in the Vaccination Buffer Zone can:
- Ride a horse within the boundary of a property where they are currently located but should not come within 50m of the boundary fence where other horses are located
- Vaccinate horse may experience a slight reaction to the vaccine and horses should be rested during this time.
Horse owners in the Vaccination Buffer Zone can NOT:
- Ride a horse to another property
- Ride alongside roadsides
- Ride within parks or other recreation areas.
Sporting events using horses:
- Sporting events using horses in the VACCINATION BUFFER ZONE are not permitted. An 'Event Application' should be made to and approved by the DPI&F Chief Inspector of Stock.
- Approval will only be granted if the application demonstrates appropriate biosecurity measures are in place to minimise the risk of spread of equine influenza.
Mustering
- Limited permits for mustering may be approved within the BUFFER ZONE under very strict conditions.
Register your horse
- Register your horse on the DPI&F website or call DPI&F on 13 25 23, to receive the latest information about the disease or the quarantine restrictions.
Report sick horses or adverse reactions to vaccination
- Report any sick horses with runny noses, sneezing or cough and elevated temperatures immediately to your local veterinarian or to the DPI&F on 13 25 23.
- Report any swelling at the vaccination site to your local veterinarian or to the DPI&F on 13 25 23.
