Queensland another step closer to eradicating EI
Published Tuesday, 26 February, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Queensland will be out of the red tomorrow, Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said.
“With no confirmed equine influenza properties in Queensland, from February 27, the current Amber Zone will become White and the current Red Zone will become Amber,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“There will be no Red Zone.
“While there will remain some restrictions, we are continuing full steam ahead towards being declared EI free.
“These zone changes are another major milestone in the fight against EI and will further free up horse movement in south east Queensland.
“We had anticipated being able to implement these changes late last week, however adverse weather conditions during the past fortnight slightly slowed our surveillance efforts.”
Mr Mulherin said despite these conditions, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries surveillance team had successfully completed random testing of more than 1000 horses, mostly in the Amber Zone, in preparation for the zone changes.
“This was a huge task and the team of 26 veterinarians and 22 equine field assistants that were out in the field did an amazing job to collect the samples and get them back to the labs in the time they did,” he said.
The Red Zone’s reclassification as Amber means that horses can move freely on hoof and can be transported with just a waybill within the Amber Zone. However a permit and waybill will be necessary for horses to move outside the zone or interstate, and specific isolation and testing requirements may apply depending on individual horse status.
The Amber Zone’s move to White will see it joined with the rest of the state.
Within the White Zone horses can move freely on hoof and can be transported with only a waybill. This reclassification will also make it significantly easier to move horses from this area into white zones in other states. Waybills and travel documentation are still required.
Queensland’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Ron Glanville said the zone changes moved us further towards the goal of being EI free by June 30.
“There have been no new cases of infection confirmed since Christmas Day, and there are now no EI infected properties in Queensland,” he said.
“However, people need to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions. It is crucial that any suspect cases of EI are reported to DPI&F immediately.”
Details of what the new changes will mean for horse owners are available on the DPI&F website www.dpi.qld.gov.au or by calling 13 25 23.
Media:
Minister’s office 3239 6530
DPI&F 3239 3010
“With no confirmed equine influenza properties in Queensland, from February 27, the current Amber Zone will become White and the current Red Zone will become Amber,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“There will be no Red Zone.
“While there will remain some restrictions, we are continuing full steam ahead towards being declared EI free.
“These zone changes are another major milestone in the fight against EI and will further free up horse movement in south east Queensland.
“We had anticipated being able to implement these changes late last week, however adverse weather conditions during the past fortnight slightly slowed our surveillance efforts.”
Mr Mulherin said despite these conditions, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries surveillance team had successfully completed random testing of more than 1000 horses, mostly in the Amber Zone, in preparation for the zone changes.
“This was a huge task and the team of 26 veterinarians and 22 equine field assistants that were out in the field did an amazing job to collect the samples and get them back to the labs in the time they did,” he said.
The Red Zone’s reclassification as Amber means that horses can move freely on hoof and can be transported with just a waybill within the Amber Zone. However a permit and waybill will be necessary for horses to move outside the zone or interstate, and specific isolation and testing requirements may apply depending on individual horse status.
The Amber Zone’s move to White will see it joined with the rest of the state.
Within the White Zone horses can move freely on hoof and can be transported with only a waybill. This reclassification will also make it significantly easier to move horses from this area into white zones in other states. Waybills and travel documentation are still required.
Queensland’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Ron Glanville said the zone changes moved us further towards the goal of being EI free by June 30.
“There have been no new cases of infection confirmed since Christmas Day, and there are now no EI infected properties in Queensland,” he said.
“However, people need to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions. It is crucial that any suspect cases of EI are reported to DPI&F immediately.”
Details of what the new changes will mean for horse owners are available on the DPI&F website www.dpi.qld.gov.au or by calling 13 25 23.
Media:
Minister’s office 3239 6530
DPI&F 3239 3010