Published Monday, 14 January, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Treasurer
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
End in sight for horse flu in Queensland
Queensland could be declared free of Equine Influenza by mid to late March this year if no new infections are confirmed, Treasurer and acting Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Andrew Fraser said today.
“But to ensure this we need the community’s continued cooperation,’’ Mr Fraser said.
“It is essential that people immediately report any suspect cases of horse flu, otherwise the infection could flare again.’’
Mr Fraser, who also is Racing Minister, said there had been no new cases of EI confirmed in Queensland since December 22, 2007.
“The longer we go without any new cases the more confident we are that the disease is close to eradication,” he said.
“There are now approximately 300 infected premises in the south east Queensland Red Zone and that number drops every day.
“This is a remarkable achievement when you consider there were about 2200 infected properties in November.
“I want to thank the horse industries and the general community for the tremendous level of cooperation they have shown since August last year working to have Queensland rid of this devastating disease.
“This news will be particularly welcome by the pleasure horse industry as it will enable them to get back to business as soon as possible.
“Last week, the rapidly improving situation allowed us to introduce relaxed movement conditions, in particular “on-hoof” movements without permit, and multi-movement permits for travel by vehicle.
“We have also had many applications to hold events in the Red and Amber zones, which will start soon.”
Mr Fraser said the next stage in the campaign to eradicate EI would be “Proof of Freedom”.
“There will be a lot of surveillance work to confirm that we no longer have the disease and then we may be able to revoke the Red and Amber zones,” he said.
“Because of the great progress to date, we are fast tracking this process.
“This will require DPI&F and private vets to conduct intense surveillance over the next two months and if no further infections are confirmed we may be in a position to change the Red Zone to Green sometime in March.
“This will involve random testing, surveillance of 900 properties throughout the Red Zone, intensive surveillance at the most recent clusters of infection, surveillance at equestrian events, and a 60 day period with no new cases.
“However this does not mean the battle is over. We are almost there, but it only takes one new case to set back our plans.
“I urge everyone to maintain good biosecurity on their properties, observe the movement restrictions and report any suspect cases.
“If we all keep working together we will beat horse flu, which will be a unique achievement on a world scale.
”While this has been an extremely difficult time for the horse industry, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
For more information call 13 25 23 or visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au
Media:
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister’s office: 3239 6530
DPI&F 3239 3010
“But to ensure this we need the community’s continued cooperation,’’ Mr Fraser said.
“It is essential that people immediately report any suspect cases of horse flu, otherwise the infection could flare again.’’
Mr Fraser, who also is Racing Minister, said there had been no new cases of EI confirmed in Queensland since December 22, 2007.
“The longer we go without any new cases the more confident we are that the disease is close to eradication,” he said.
“There are now approximately 300 infected premises in the south east Queensland Red Zone and that number drops every day.
“This is a remarkable achievement when you consider there were about 2200 infected properties in November.
“I want to thank the horse industries and the general community for the tremendous level of cooperation they have shown since August last year working to have Queensland rid of this devastating disease.
“This news will be particularly welcome by the pleasure horse industry as it will enable them to get back to business as soon as possible.
“Last week, the rapidly improving situation allowed us to introduce relaxed movement conditions, in particular “on-hoof” movements without permit, and multi-movement permits for travel by vehicle.
“We have also had many applications to hold events in the Red and Amber zones, which will start soon.”
Mr Fraser said the next stage in the campaign to eradicate EI would be “Proof of Freedom”.
“There will be a lot of surveillance work to confirm that we no longer have the disease and then we may be able to revoke the Red and Amber zones,” he said.
“Because of the great progress to date, we are fast tracking this process.
“This will require DPI&F and private vets to conduct intense surveillance over the next two months and if no further infections are confirmed we may be in a position to change the Red Zone to Green sometime in March.
“This will involve random testing, surveillance of 900 properties throughout the Red Zone, intensive surveillance at the most recent clusters of infection, surveillance at equestrian events, and a 60 day period with no new cases.
“However this does not mean the battle is over. We are almost there, but it only takes one new case to set back our plans.
“I urge everyone to maintain good biosecurity on their properties, observe the movement restrictions and report any suspect cases.
“If we all keep working together we will beat horse flu, which will be a unique achievement on a world scale.
”While this has been an extremely difficult time for the horse industry, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
For more information call 13 25 23 or visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au
Media:
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister’s office: 3239 6530
DPI&F 3239 3010