EI Vaccinations to continue unimpeded
The National Management Group (NMG) which is responsible for managing the response to equine influenza has granted approval for the thoroughbred racing industry’s horses which are currently vaccinated to continue to receive needed booster shots until at least 30th June, 2008. Australian Racing Board Chief Executive Andrew Harding is the industry’s representative on the NMG.
“The industry was confronted with a proposal from some of the State veterinary officers that all vaccinations cease from 19th March. We argued against that and the NMG has agreed that racehorse owners can continue to access vaccine to complete their scheduled courses of vaccination. This approval will continue until 30th June, 2008 and in the meantime we will be progressing our case for permanent ongoing vaccination to be allowed. I would encourage trainers who have horses that are currently vaccinated to make contact with the Stewards department in their State where they can get details on how to arrange for booster shots to be administered.”
The NMG has also announced that it is confident that Australia will be declared provisionally-free of equine influenza by 20 March 2008. On this basis NMG expects to be able to declare the EI emergency over by 30 June 2008.
Active surveillance in New South Wales and Queensland has found no new infected horses since 9 December in NSW and 25 December in Qld.
The OIE requires that Australia has no cases of the disease for 12 months before it will confirm our status If no more cases are seen, Australia can be officially recognised as disease-free as of 25 December 2008.
NMG agreed to NSW and Queensland applications to reclassify zones. This includes the NSW southern amber zone to white, red/amber to green/white, and purple to green; and in Queensland, amber to white and red to amber. The last amber zone in Queensland is expected to be reclassified white on 30 June 2008, bringing Queensland into the same zone status as the rest of Australia.
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.
End Media Release
Andrew Harding 0417 043 233
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