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Equine Influenza Update as at December 1st 2007 |
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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 03 December 2007 |
As at December 1st, 2007 the
spread of Equine Influenza is beginning to slow slightly in early
infected areas with fewer new infections reported over the past
week. There were five new infected properties reported in Samford
Valley and one in the Caboolture Shire at Morayfield.
There are currently 2095 infected properties in Queensland. The infected cluster areas have expanded at a slightly slower rate than previously reported.
It is imperative all new cases of sick horses are reported to the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) on 13 25 23 and to your local vet.
It is important all infections are recorded to enable DPI&F and local vets to control and eradicate the disease. Vaccination is continuing to include performance and leisure horse sector
The D.P.I.&F. has a specific strategy in place to contain the disease within Queensland, to get the horse industry and events back on track.
This strategy is based on:
• movement controls & biosecurity
• vaccination buffer zones
• strategic vaccination (infection suppression)
• surveillance
• infected premises controls
• information and education.
This multi-pronged strategy is designed to ‘shrink’ the red zone. Staged contractions of this Red Zone will progressively free up horse-related events.
What’s important now?
Horse and non-horse owners must work together to eradicate equine influenza in Queensland.
1. Don’t move horses. The virus’s strength is that it’s very contagious. The standstill helps us tackle its strong point.
2. Use decontamination – even if your horses don’t appear sick. The virus’s weakness is that it’s fragile. Decontamination tackles its weak point.
3. All property owners with horses are legally required to register.
The registration requires “LotOnPlan” RP numbers (from your rates notice). You can register online at www.dpi.qld.gov.au.
For More information you can visit, or call, the Caboolture Equine Influenza Community Resource Centre, 71 King Street, Caboolture, or you can phone (07) 5495 6910. This centre is open on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays between the hours of 8am-6pm.
You can also call the D.P.I.&F. hotline on 13 25 23 or visit their website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 03 December 2007 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
