EI Updater’s blog

All Australian racehorses to be vaccinated

nobody@vox.com(EI Updater) — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:27:10 +1000

Source: Racenet, Friday, 26 October 2007

The Australian Racing Board has today given in-principle approval to the adoption of new Australian Rules of Racing making it mandatory for all horses involved in racing and breeding to be vaccinated as a condition of participation in the industry.

In terms of a rationale the Australian thoroughbred sector (racing and breeding) believes that implementing a permanent national vaccination policy is an essential and non-negotiable risk management policy. In this regard it may be noted that:

The UK has vaccinated since 1981 and despite EI being considered endemic in that country no race meetings have been lost because of EI in 25 years (including the 2003 Newmarket outbreak).

Notwithstanding that Japan has been considered free of EI from 1972 to 2007 it has a compulsory vaccination program and this has undoubtedly been a significant factor mitigating the losses caused by the 2007 outbreak.

ABARE has included in its modelling the probability of an EI outbreak in Australia once every 20 years irrespective of eradication.

“We are still giving our full co-operation to the efforts that are being made to contain and eradicate EI, and we very much hope that the disease can indeed be eradicated. However, even if this is accomplished we have reached the conclusion that we simply cannot afford to be without an insurance policy against a future outbreak occurring. A compulsory national vaccination program is that insurance policy.” Bob Pearson, Chairman, Australian Racing Board

A full period of notice and consultation will take place before the rules are implemented.

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QLD DPI Update - 23 October

nobody@vox.com(EI Updater) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 08:13:24 +1000

Infected premises (IPs) increased by 148 to a total of 1534 since Friday 19 October.

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NSW DPI Update 23 October

nobody@vox.com(EI Updater) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 08:12:25 +1000

ERADICATION OF EQUINE INFLUENZA

Rod Hoare from Industry Liaison summarises the campaign towards eradication so far:

"From Day One NSW DPI and other authorities have been working towards eradication of EI. How could Australia do this when Europe and America have not been able to eradicate it? South Africa and India have eradicated the disease: what are our chances?

NSW DPI and their many collaborators had some initial problems:

The initial spread of infection prior to standstill was very widespread and into areas of high horse density.
No vaccine supplies were on hand, no approvals were available, and vaccines would be a month coming.
We did not know how the disease would spread under Australian conditions.
The disease came at the worst time of the year – just before breeding season, just before foaling, in cool weather assisting survival of the virus. Spread from property to property occurred in the cool morning mists up to about 3 km.

NSW DPI and collaborators also had many advantages:

NSW DPI staff and supporting agencies such as the Rural Fire Service are well trained in emergency response and did respond quickly.
There was an AUSVETPLAN for EI.
An excellent test (PCR test for presence of virus) was available, and a capacity to test up to 1000 samples overnight.
The new generation of vaccines produces effective immunity against the strain in Australia after the first injection.

What progress has been made?

The geographic area of Australia affected by equine influenza has not changed much in the past 6 weeks.
There have been three new groups of infection in the green zone but these have now been contained with vaccination buffers.
Now that adequate vaccine supplies are available, it is possible to respond more quickly and effectively to put out the spot fire situations.
Vaccine supplies are still limited. Sending vaccine to uninfected states is like sending water tankers away from the fire front - highest priority for vaccine is where the disease is likely to occur.
The daily number of new infected properties is much lower than it was mid September.
The majority of infections are now occurring in previously infected areas and within vaccination buffers.
A small proportion of Australia's horses have been exposed to EI virus - less than 10% of the total horse population.
More horses are becoming immune to EI daily after recovering from EI infection or to the effects of vaccination.
The first round of EI vaccinations in the buffer zones in NSW is more than 70% complete. The boundaries of some of the red and amber interfaces in NSW are to be replaced by amber and green zones respectively. The plan is to have all high risk horses in the NSW purple zone immune to EI due to infection or vaccination by 30 November 2007.
Scenario analysis indicates that the outbreak is running below the mid-range prediction curve, and well below the worst case curve.
The best guess prediction is that EI will be eradicated by 30 June 2008. This will depend on compliance with personal biosecurity.

The conclusion is that eradication is well on track and remains the number one priority.

SITUATION UPDATE

A new infection in the northern part of the Dubbo vaccination buffer area will mean a extension on the red zone in that area. All other infected properties reported in the past 24 hours are in the Red and Purple Zones.

Today’s statistics: 4967 Infected Properties (IPs); 458 Dangerous Contact Properties (DCPs); 476 Suspect Properties (SPs); 7161 horses out of the target of 13476 have been vaccinated in the buffer areas so far.

Surveillance testing is currently being implemented at Coonamble, Coonabarabran, Berry, Walcha and Gloucester Tops. Zone re-adjustments are planned as the testing progresses to confirm which isolated red zones are free of the disease. The required testing is quite extensive and will take up to two weeks to finalize.

Horse owners are reminded that observing the recommended biosecurity measures for personal hygiene is critical for the EI eradication campaign to be successful. Ensuring that people entering your property have undertaken the necessary personal hygiene recommendations is the easiest way to protect your horses.

In response to the confusion surrounding the responsibilities of individuals when crossing zone boundaries, the RTA have placed mobile signs on some boundaries to notify the travelling public of the zone they are entering or leaving.

Registration of infected horses

To date 6559 horse locations have been registered in the EI database. Horse registrations provide vital data for planning how to eradicate EI. Horse owners are reminded that infected horses must be registered with the DPI. Registration forms can be found on the DPI website here:

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horse/influenza/information/horse-owners-restricted-areas/form

Survey of uninfected horses

Horse owners are reminded that the survey of uninfected horses in the Red or Purple Zones has been extended. If you are in these zones and have uninfected horses, please complete the survey at: www.surveymaster.com/AHIC/Q1.asp

Vaccinations

Vaccination of the prioritised horses identified by the Australian Horse Industry Council uninfected horse survey will commence in the Purple Zone after Wednesday 24 October. The operation will be coordinated by the Local Disease Control Centre (LDCC) using the existing Forward Command Posts (FCP).

The EFA have commenced vaccinations of EFA registered horses in the Purple Zone. They will also be vaccinating all other horses present on the property during the visit.

Current information on the vaccination program can be found at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza/vaccination

Movement of horses

To date, there have been 3604 movement permits issued by the Local Disease Control Centre (LDCC). The movement of horses for training in the Amber Zone has been assessed and there have been some modifications granted to the movement restrictions. The relevant changes to the movement restrictions are published on the web at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horse/influenza/movements/amber-zone

Current information on the guidelines for the all movements of horses can be found at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza/movements

Community meetings

As of Monday 22 October 31 community information meetings have been held, with over 3000 people attending.

The community meetings organised for this week are:

Tuesday 23 October: Gloucester, Blayney, Bathurst and West Wyalong
Wednesday 24 October: Albion Park, Mangrove Mountain, Cessnock, Oberon and Coolamon.
Thursday 25 October: Rylstone, Goulburn, Armidale and Temora.

For information about community meetings and future meeting dates see: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza/meetings

IN THE NEWS

Nine EI Decontamination points for horse transport vehicles - The NSW DPI now has nine Equine Influenza (EI) decontamination points operating across NSW.

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/recent-news/agriculture-news-releases/decontamination-points

Horse flu vaccinations underway in Scone and Merriwa - The first horses, ponies and donkeys in the Scone and Merriwa buffers have today received their initial equine influenza (EI) shots as part of the NSW eradication plan.

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/recent-news/agriculture-news-releases/scone-merriwa

EI: Temora owners recognised for good biosecurity - Two hundred Temora horses have returned negative test results for equine influenza (EI) as local horse owners adopt strict biosecurity to stamp out EI.

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/recent-news/agriculture-news-releases/temora-owners-recognised

RESOURCES

New information for veterinarians to describe the reporting process for suspected new infections in the Purple Zone has been developed. This information is to assist veterinarians in being time-efficient in reporting new infections. It can be found at:

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horse/influenza/information/vets

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Livestock Transport Group Advise Availability of Bulk Permits

nobody@vox.com(EI Updater) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 08:10:40 +1000

Livestock Transport Group's Scone manager Jeff Watt has advised that LTG has DPI Bulk Movement Permits to allow travelling of mares into and within the NSW Purple Zone until October 31 - the deadline for horse movements into the zone.

"While an individual's application for a permit will take time, we have the necessary permits already in place so it is simply a matter of leaving it to us.

"Mare owners who think that the delay in getting permits will affect their chances of getting their mare to the stallion and in foal need not worry. There are plenty of reports out there where people are complaining about the time it takes to get a permit from the DPI.

"So, I thought it might be a good idea to let people know that it doesn't have to be complicated. We also have an additional Bulk Movement Permit to move horses form Victoria to the Purple Zone." said Watt.

Jeff Watt can be contacted on 0408 219 812 and LTG's Victorian manager Lachlan Ford is contactable on mobile 0448 295 865.

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Inglis responds to breeders for 2008 sales - Oct 22

nobody@vox.com(EI Updater) — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 08:05:05 +1000

The recently announced changes to the timing of the Inglis 2008 yearling sale's to be conducted in Melbourne and Sydney have been met with such high approval by breeders that additional sessions have been added to both sales to accommodate the record entries that are still being received.

The Australian Easter Yearling Sale and Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale will both now have Part 2 sessions to accommodate the needs of vendors. The Classic Yearling Sale will now follow on from Easter Part 2 (Full details and dates are below).

Inglis recognises the importance of adequate spacing between the major yearling sales for vendors. The revised format has provided a much welcomed gap of eight weeks between Premier and Easter, allowing breeder's to target both sales with no overlap of yearling preparations.

"We understand the logistics and operations of a typical stud and appreciate that key staff should ideally be present throughout the entire preparation to ensure yearlings look their best at sale time" commented Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster. " Secondly, our sales coincide with the major racing carnivals in both Sydney and Melbourne, which ensures buyers will already be in town during our sales. In particular, trainers don’t have to go out of their way to attend our sales. Vendors have picked up on this pretty quickly."

Jonathan D’Arcy, Inglis director of auctions commented, "There have been numerous requests from breeders in recent weeks for Easter to include a select Part 2 session to accommodate their entire yearling crops and allow them to focus on one sale, similar to the grading used during the successful Keeneland sales in Kentucky. Easter Part 2 will comprise two evening sessions for select yearlings that are marginally below that normally accepted at Easter. Noting the top price at Classic earlier this year was $350,000, a limited number of the top quality entries for Classic will be given the opportunity to switch to the Easter Part 2 session. Part 2 yearlings will be stabled for three full days before being sold to allow adequate time for inspection. Classic session yearlings will now be sold over two full days and will also be stabled for three days before entering the sale ring.”

Two additional selling days have also been added to the 2008 Melbourne Premier Yearling sale, to be known as Premier Part 2. This is not the first time a Part 2 session has been held in Melbourne. Earlier this year the Part 2 session achieved an average of just over $30,000 and a top price of $125,000. Peter Heagney, Inglis director overseeing Victorian operations commented that, “With the quality of entries received so far, the resilience of Victorian racing and Premier being the first yearling sale for 2008, it’s a good opportunity for vendors to sell well conformed early types.”

Following weeks of consultation and feedback from both breeders and buyers the revised sales dates for 2008 Melbourne Premier and Easter sales are as follows:

March 2, 3 & 4	Premier Yearling Sale - Part 1, Oaklands
March 6 & 7	Premier Yearling Sale - Part 2, Oaklands
April 20, 21 & 22	Australian Easter Yearling Sale - Select Session Part 1, Newmarket
April 24 & 25	Australian Easter Yearling Sale - Select Session Part 2, Newmarket (evening sessions)
April 27 & 28	Australian Easter Yearling Sale - Classic Session, Newmarket
May 1 & 2	Australian Easter Broodmare Sale - Select Session, Newmarket Closing date: 14 March 2008
May 4 & 5	Australian Easter Broodmare Sale - General Session, Newmarket Closing date: 14 March 2008

The strength of the Melbourne buying bench cannot be overlooked with Victorian based buyers investing over $85 million in yearlings throughout Australasia last year. Furthermore, Melbourne attracted strong international participation at the top end from South Africa and Hong Kong in 2007.

Mark Webster said, "Melbourne is home to some of the country's biggest yearling buyers and the racing thus far has been unaffected. Those connections will be in a position to reinvest in the yearling market in March. The Victorian Government has also been extremely co-operative and are assisting us to lift the profile of the Melbourne Premier Sale, further develop the Victorian breeding industry and grow export markets."

With Victorian racing remaining EI free and Melbourne Premier commencing the major sales season, vendors have supported it strongly. Furthermore Melbourne graduates such as Weekend Hussler and leading Hong Kong International Sprint contender Sacred Kingdom emphasise the quality that emerges from the sale. South Australia's Mill Park, who raised the winners of four Group Ones in recent weeks, are amongst vendors who have drafts entered for Premier for the first time, in addition to Easter.

The entry fee for Premier Part 2 will be $900 plus GST. The entry fee for Easter Part 2 will be $1600 plus GST. Inglis bloodstock staff will be in touch with vendors over the coming weeks to finalise entries. Breeders interested in the new sessions should contact Inglis this week. Revised dates for other sales in 2008 will be released soon.

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Racing to recommence this weekend in NSW

nobody@vox.com(EI Updater) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:55:48 +1000

Racing NSW has advised its road map to recovery.

Racing with public access will recommence this Saturday, 27 October 2007 at Kembla Grange. Then for each Saturday in November there will be special events at Gosford, Coffs Harbour, Wyong and Kembla Grange.

This provides the clubs in these areas with an unprecedented opportunity to promote racing on the premium day of the week in conjunction with the Spring Carnival in Victoria.

This will then culminate with the recommencement of racing in the Metropolitan area at Royal Randwick on Saturday, 1 December 2007. Rosehill Gardens will then be the venue for the following two Saturdays of 8 and 15 December.

As from today, horses which were in pre-training or spelling will be allowed to return to Randwick. These horses were either vaccinated twice or have given an appropriate blood test to ensure they have sufficient immunity to Equine Influenza.

It is also expected that Rosehill Gardens will be decontaminated next week and Warwick Farm on 1 November.

It is presently envisaged that from 1 January 2008, NSW racing will resume in total with the normal racing calendar.

Since 25 August 2007, New South Wales thoroughbred racing has experienced the most horrendous period since its inception in 1810.

Other than wars and the Depression, the only other time racing stopped was in 1814 when Governor Macquarie put a halt to the very popular thoroughbred meetings as workers were unfit to work for many days afterwards due to excessive celebrations.

However, the racing fraternity has been a resilient lot and will overcome the Equine Influenza crisis; like every other setback it has encountered in its 197 year history.

Racing NSW expresses its sincere appreciation for the wonderful level of support from the public, media, industry and Government.

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QLD DPI latest update 22 Oct 2007

nobody@vox.com(EI Updater) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:18:58 +1000

There are currently 1384 infected properties in Queensland, an increase of 37 from yesterday.

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NSW DPI Upate 22 Oct 07

nobody@vox.com(EI Updater) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:16:56 +1000

A new infection is currently being investigated in the northern part of the Dubbo vaccination buffer area. All other infected properties reported in the past 24 hours are in the Red and Purple Zones.

Today’s statistics: 4919 Infected Properties (IPs); 451 Dangerous Contact Properties (DCPs); 476 Suspect Properties (SPs); a total of 6731 horses out of 13476 have been vaccinated in the buffer areas so far.

Surveillance testing is currently being implemented at Coonamble, Coonabarabran, Berry, Walcha and Gloucester Tops. Negative results from this campaign will allow the status for these Red Zones to be modified.

Planning for recovery after the EI crisis is also an important component of the EI campaign. The establishment of a number of industry consultative groups has been proposed to assist with the management of the recovery process for equine industries.

In response to the confusion surrounding the responsibilities of individuals when crossing zone boundaries the RTA have placed mobile signs on some boundaries to notify the travelling public of the zone they are entering or leaving.

Survey of uninfected horses

Vaccinations

The EFA have commenced vaccinations of EFA registered horses in the Purple Zone. They will also be vaccinating all other horses present on the property during the visit.

Current information on the vaccination program can be found at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza/vaccination

Registration of infected horses

Horse owners are reminded that infected horses and properties must be registered on the DPI website at: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horse/influenza/information/horse-owners-restricted-areas/form

Movement of horses

To date, there have been 3403 movement permits issued by the Local Disease Control Centre (LDCC).

The movement of horses for training in the Amber Zone has been assessed and there have been some modifications granted to the movement restrictions. The relevant changes to the movement restrictions are published on the web at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horse/influenza/movements/amber-zone

Current information on the guidelines for the all movements of horses can be found at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza/movements

Community meetings

The community meetings organised for this week are:

Monday 22 October: Maitland, Gulgong and Grenfell.

Tuesday 23 October: Gloucester, Blayney, Bathurst and West Wyalong

Wednesday 24 October: Albion Park, Mangrove Mountain, Cessnock, Oberon and Coolamon.

Thursday 25 October: Rylestone, Goulburn, Armidale and Temora.

For information about community meetings and future meeting dates see:

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza/meetings

IN THE NEWS

Bid to free the Falcon, Victoria stifling Melbourne Cup hopes: Macdonald - Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, today lobbed a verbal grenade over the Murray River, calling on Victoria to allow popular Corowa-based race horse and sentimental favourite Leica Falcon to cross the border in time for the Melbourne Cup.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/recent-news/agriculture-news-releases/falcon-melbourne-cup

200 horses tested for EI at Temora - Exhaustive tracing and testing for equine influenza (EI) in the Barmedman and Temora area has unearthed two infected properties at Temora.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/recent-news/agriculture-news-releases/200-tested-at-temora

EI: Temora owners recognised for good biosecurity - Two hundred Temora horses have returned negative test results for equine influenza (EI) as local horse owners adopt strict biosecurity to stamp out EI.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/recent-news/agriculture-news-releases/temora-owners-recognised

RESOURCES

The following resources are available on the NSW DPI website. Print out and distribute what you can. The further the message spreads the better.

New information for veterinarians to describe the reporting process for suspected new infections in the Purple Zone has been developed. This information is to assist veterinarians in being time efficient in reporting new infections. It can be found at: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horse/influenza/information/vets

KEY CONTACTS

NSW equine influenza hotline: 1800 675 888

Website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza

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Another $140m for EI from Australian Govt

nobody@vox.com(EI Updater) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 13:55:28 +1000

The racing industry has welcomed another injection of federal funds as it battles to get up and running again in the wake of the equine influenza (EI) outbreak.

Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran yesterday announced a further $A117 million ($NZ140 million) on top of the $A110 million delivered last month.

The money will be split between NSW and Queensland, the two states to experience EI, and will be used for assistance for those who earn a living from racehorses and high performance equestrian horses.

"The coalition will extend the assistance for a further 12 week period, from the 17th of November to the 8th of February," McGauran said.

"We allocated $A110 million for the first 12 weeks, now we are allocating $A117 million for the next 12 weeks.

"The difference of $A7 million between the two amounts is that we've found some horses that we didn't quite allow for."

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'Landys, who was to outline a plan for the resumption of Sydney metropolitan and provincial racing today, said the funds would help keep people in the industry who might otherwise be lost.

"We are ecstatic about it," V'Landys said.

"We are trying to maintain a specific work force and the money has an economic multiplier effect throughout the entire industry.

"It means trainers are able to keep staff employed, jockeys will receive a further $A5,000 payment as will trainers.

"We are very appreciative of the leadership Peter McGauran has shown in this matter.

"The federal government funding has kept the NSW racing industry financially viable in the worst period of its history."

V'Landys would not comment on the NSW government's response to the crisis which has so far been $A7.5 million.

The Melbourne spring carnival is in full swing albeit with only a few horses from NSW and Queensland who were already in Victoria when EI hit.

Horses competing at the carnival have been undergoing staggered vaccination and the iconic Melbourne Cup appears to be in no danger.

"I believe the Melbourne Cup is close to being secured because the vaccination policy in Victoria has meant that most horses racing and competing will reach their full immunity from influenza in the event that it should be transmitted to that state," McGauran said.

He added that the policy of containment and eradication of the disease was as yet inconclusive.

"There were hopes in three months it could be extinguished, that hasn't come to pass," he said.

"I believe all governments should know by February whether or not equine influenza can be contained and eradicated."

An inquiry headed by former High Court judge Ian Callinan is scheduled to resume in Sydney on November 8 after a brief first hearing earlier this month.

The first Australian case of EI was confirmed in August in a stallion awaiting release from Sydney's Eastern Creek quarantine centre after travelling from the Northern Hemisphere.

The inquiury will focus on how the disease infiltrated the general horse population and whether the quarantine protocols in place at the time were adequate.

Sorce: Caryl Williamson, AAP, 22 October 2007

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Future EI issues

nobody@vox.com(EI Updater) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 13:22:38 +1000

The National Management Group (NMG) overseeing the response to equine influenza has considered a range of issues including vaccine deployment, and the development of contingency plans for further response options.

NMG noted the focus of the response continues to be control of the disease with a view to eradication.
The current disease control priority remains the creation of buffer zones through vaccination around areas of high disease concentration aimed at limiting the spread.

NMG agreed on the action required to deliver the allocation of vaccines determined by Federal and State Ministers at their meeting on Monday 8 October. This would provide for the vaccination of 93,160 horses - 37,740 horses in Queensland, 43,550 in NSW, 8,900 in Victoria, and 770 in the ACT.
Horses within buffer zones, and high value horses including thoroughbred racing horses and Olympic level equestrian horses, would be included in this vaccination programme. A reserve supply of vaccine will be maintained for up to 2,200 horses. Sufficient additional vaccine will be ordered to cover the full course of vaccination required for these horses. Further vaccination requirements and supply will be kept under active review.

In responding to Ministers, NMG agreed to develop an early presentation on possible future scenarios for the management of equine influenza. This would include what policies would be required to support these scenarios, trigger points for changes to the response strategy, and the implications for issues such as vaccination.

Other issues NMG considered included: changes to zoning arrangements in NSW and Queensland aimed at keeping the outbreak within contained areas and to enable movement in certain zones under strict guidelines; protocols for the movement of previously infected horses; proof of disease freedom in animals, premises, areas, and nationally; and a draft scenario cost analysis as a supporting tool for decision making.

NMG also welcomed the developments that restrictions on horses stabled at Centennial Park had been eased to allow horses to be exercised in the Park and move from the Park on permit, and a protocol had been developed in collaboration with the racing industry for the management of horses required to be relocated from Randwick racecourse.

NMG is comprised of the Chief Executive Officers of the Commonwealth and State/Territory departments of agriculture/primary industries across Australia and also the heads of the peak bodies representing the horse industry. It is chaired by the Secretary of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Dr Conall O’Connell.

Michele Cullen, Stallions Daily Bulletin, 20 October 2007

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