Horse Flu Clearance Hope High
Illawarra Mercury
Tuesday January 15, 2008
ALMOST 35,000 horses, donkeys and zebras have been vaccinated against the equine influenza and the Department of Primary Industries said yesterday it was hopeful the state could be free of the deadly flu by mid March.
But experts warned against complacency, as just one sick horse could cause another outbreak."Without a new infection in the coming weeks it is a real possibility that we can stamp out equine influenza," acting minister Verity Firth said."This is the best possible news for our horse industries, but I stress this all hinges on not one more single case in the coming weeks."The last horse to test positive to the infection was on December 21. Three months need to pass to ensure equine influenza (EI) is eradicated completely.About 84 per cent of NSW is now part of the EI green zone - considered free of the disease.NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Bruce Christie said there were less than 250 infected properties across the state."At the height of the outbreak there were more than 5800 infected properties and more than 200 new infected properties detected per day," he said. "Good biosecurity, reporting of suspected horses and sensible movement of animals is more crucial to the campaign than ever."From yesterday, owners in the purple zone, which covers just 3 per cent of the state, need to carry a travelling statement for every movement. Owners can print out the form from the department's website.
© 2008 Illawarra Mercury
