NSW DPI EI VACCINATION BRIEFING

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1 NSW DPI EI VACCINATION BRIEFING Equine influenza community information meetings... 1 Equine influenza vaccination in zones in NSW... 2 Equine influenza FAQs - Vaccination... 2 Equine influenza FAQs - Zones and movements... 6 Equine influenza FAQs - Permits and registrations... 7 Equine influenza zoning and movement restrictions in New South Wales... 9 Table of Local Government Areas (LGAs) and their statuses...9 Equine influenza community information meetings A series of community information meetings is being planned with early stages of organisation occurring now. It is intended to run the meetings across the Red Zone (Restricted areas) over the next 3 to 4 weeks. The purpose of the meetings is to ensure local communities are aware of and fully conversant with the developments in the Equine Influenza outbreak and efforts to control it. Emphasis will be on: EI - What is it How did it get here? Its spread and actions taken to diagnose it Virus characteristics Locations of infection overview Departmental control strategy Buffers Vaccinations Why don t we let it go? Biosecurity and disinfection How horses are tested The meetings start during the first week of October Check the DPI website and local media for further details.

2 Equine influenza vaccination in zones in NSW Date: 29 Sep 2007 Background There has been some misunderstanding of the initial vaccination program in terms of what horses and what area (Zone). Horses in targeted regional buffer zones around equine influenza restricted areas, or red zones, will be vaccinated starting from today as part of the campaign to eradicate the exotic horse flu. About 300 horses in a 10km wide strip just north of Mittagong will be the first vaccinated as part of the buffer zone phase. Horse owners in the northern part of the Wingecarribee Shire near Hilltop are currently being contacted and informed of the options for their horses. Another 300 horses in a 10km wide strip just south of Gloucester will be vaccinated starting next week. Horse owners in the strip from Wards River south of Gloucester to Crawford River south-west of Bulahdelah are currently being contacted Horses will also be vaccinated within selected buffer zones at Berry, Parkes and Dubbo from early next week, followed by Mudgee and then Armidale and Tamworth soon after. NSW Department of Primary Industries is establishing Local Vaccination Centres at these locations in preparation for using the vaccine ONLY on horses in these buffer zone properties. The vaccine will NOT be made available to each and every horse owner in NSW, but used for disease control in nominated buffer zones such as the one north of Newcastle. Some doses are also going to protect high value, at risk horse populations within restricted areas. Industry representatives are identifying these high value, at risk horses requiring vaccination. Biosecurity, hygiene and movement restrictions remain vitally important to our effort to contain this disease. Equine influenza FAQs - Vaccination Is there a vaccine available? Yes, although the vaccine is not available domestically. An initial shipment of 20,000 doses was ordered and will be shared between NSW, Queensland and Victoria. Vaccination can complicate the diagnosis of the disease and will interfere with eradication of this disease. We aim to eradicate the infection so permanent vaccination or horses in Australia will not be required.

3 It is important to note that ongoing equine influenza vaccination would cost the Australian horse industry millions of dollars annually. Vaccination is not a cure all. Many horses will not be completely protected even though they may have been vaccinated. The vaccine is short lived and would require regular boosters to maintain protection. From time to time the virus mutates and vaccine will not be effective, resulting in epidemics of infection. For the reasons listed above the use of equine influenza vaccine in Australia is prohibited unless authorised in writing by APVMA for export or by the Chief Veterinary Officer. Anyone who obtains and/or uses equine influenza vaccine without the specified written authorisation may be fined up to $22,000 and/or face 6 months imprisonment. Will all horses be vaccinated? No. Horses in buffer zones around outlying infected areas are being given priority for vaccination. Any remaining doses from the initial 10,000 NSW allocation may be used for some harness, race and high level equestrian horses. Where are the buffer zones? The buffer zones are outside currently infected areas. For updated information on locations, see the NSW DPI website. Will infected horses be vaccinated? No. Buffer zones will be outside currently infected areas. The intention is to create a zone of immune horses to contain the spread of the virus. Can vaccinated horses become infected? Yes. Vaccination does not protect against infection. The symptoms are milder in horses that have been vaccinated and they shed less virus, thus reducing the amount of virus that can be spread. How will I be informed if my horse(s) will be vaccinated? You will be contacted by NSW DPI or the State Emergency Service to organise for your horses to be vaccinated. How will vaccinated horses be identified? Vaccinated horses MUST be permanently identified, either by existing brands or microchip. What records will be kept of vaccinated animals? All vaccinated horses will be micro-chipped if they have not already been done so.

4 What records will be kept of properties with vaccinated animals? Vaccinated horses in the buffer zone MUST remain on the property on which they were vaccinated until the outbreak is controlled. All properties will be identified by their Property Identification Code (PIC). A PIC can be obtained from your Rural Lands Protection Board. How long will the vaccination program take? The program will be completed as quickly as possible, but the timing depends on current containment procedures. How many doses of vaccine will horses receive? Two intramuscular injections will be given. The second injection will be given after two to six weeks. When does immunity start? Significant immunity is present by 14 days after the first dose. How long does immunity last? Six months after the vaccination dose. A booster dose five months after the first dose provides protection for about one year. Why was the ProteqFlu vaccine chosen? ProteqFlu was chosen over several other vaccine products as the onset of immunity is fast and infected horses can be differentiated from vaccinated horses. Will the vaccine be able to control the disease? Vaccination will reduce the severity of the symptoms in infected horses and less virus will be shed from those horses. Can I buy vaccine for my horse? No. The vaccine is not available to the public. It is only being used strategically to restrict the spread of EI as part of the eradication campaign. It is illegal to acquire or EI vaccine without NSW DPI approval. Who can inject the vaccine? Only vets working on behalf of NSW DPI can administer the vaccine. Do I have to pay for vaccination?

5 No. All vaccine and veterinary costs are covered as part of the national equine influenza eradication program. Can pregnant or lactating mares be vaccinated? The vaccine is safe for foals, pregnant mares, lactating mares and older horses, but should not be used on sick horses. Can foals be vaccinated? Yes. Foals in the buffer zone will be vaccinated. Mares vaccinated during late pregnancy may deliver some maternal antibody protection in collostrum, so their foals will not be vaccinated until they are at least four months old. Can high risk horses outside the buffer zones be vaccinated? No. High risk horses such as those that have had severe pneumonia in the past are not eligible for vaccination. What kind of adverse reactions can horses have to the vaccine? Minor reactions to the vaccine are possible. The main signs are heat and local swelling around the injection site. Horses may also show apathy and go off their feed for a few days. Occasionally a more severe reaction occurs within a few hours of vaccination. This should be reported to your vet immediately. What happens if I refuse to have my horse vaccinated? Vaccination is compulsory for all horses in buffer zones. If vaccination is refused a movement permit must be obtained and the horse moved into an infected area (Red or Purple Zone), or the owner may be liable for a fine of up to $44,000 fine and up to 12 months imprisonment. What if my horse has already been vaccinated? It is safe to vaccinate previously vaccinated horses. All horses in the buffer zone must be vaccinated in the current program. Will there be any movement controls on vaccinated horses? Yes. Vaccinated horses in the buffer zone will be confined to the property until the outbreak is controlled.

6 Does vaccination have any horse feeding or management implications? Horses should be rested for a two to three days following vaccination. Do infected vaccinated horses still carry or shed the virus? Yes, however they will have less clinical signs, less virus shedding and will be sick for a shorter time. Can testing distinguish between vaccinated and naturally immune horses? Yes. Equine influenza FAQs - Zones and movements Why has zoning been introduced? Zoning enables resources to be focussed on eradicating equine influenza in areas where there are currently infected animals, eases restrictions in low risk areas and areas currently free of the disease, and enables seasonal breeding activities to continue within heavily infected areas. What are the zones? The state has been divided into five zones: : Areas currently free of equine influenza infection. : Low risk areas surrounding infected areas. : Areas with confirmed equine influenza infection. Purple Zone (Special Restricted Area): Designated areas with a high rate of infection. Hatched Zone (Special Restricted Area): Buffer zones for the control of equine influenza infection. What zone am I in? Check the zoning map. If you are unsure of your local government area, check the Department of Local Government website. Will the zone boundaries change? Yes. The progress of the equine influenza eradication campaign, including zoning, is being monitored and adjusted on a daily basis to take into account the spread of the virus and recovery from the disease. How long will the zoning apply?

7 Zoning will apply until equine influenza is eradicated. Criteria for declaring NSW free of equine influenza include a combination of no new cases developing and testing showing that representative samples of horses no longer carry the virus. Are there any exceptions to zone movement restrictions? Permits to move horses and donkeys in Amber and Red Zones will only be issued in exceptional circumstances, following a review of the need for a permit and a risk assessment. Movements out of Purple Zones will no be permitted. Movements to other states are subject to approval by the destination state, which is unlikely at this stage. Subject to the issuing of movement permits, movement will be permitted only one way between zones, from Green to Amber, Amber to Red, and Red to Purple. One way movement will allow some necessary movements without the risk of spreading equine influenza to new areas. Can I move my horse from another state into NSW? Movement of horses from another state into NSW is currently restricted. Check the zoning and movements information for details of restrictions in y our zone. For exceptional emergency circumstances, contact (02) Can I export horses from NSW? A healthy horse may be exported from NSW subject to the approval of AQIS and the recipient country. For information on the correct procedure for exporting horses from NSW to an overseas destination, contact (02) Can I move horses for breeding or foaling purposes? Movement of mares and stallions for breeding and foaling purposes is currently restricted. Check the zoning and movements information for details of restrictions in your zone. Can I take my horses to the track for training? Movement of horses for training is currently restricted. Check the zoning and movements information for details of restrictions in your zone. Equine influenza FAQs - Permits and registrations What permits are available? Depending on your zone, special permits are available for the following:

8 movement of mares to specialised foaling facilities movement or horse semen and embryos, diagnostic samples, and horse meat and by-products movement of new horse fodder and fittings, and horse vehicles for the purposes of registration movement of harness racing or racehorses for exercise Horses that are required to be moved for medical reasons or animal welfare concerns and will be risk assessed on an individual basis. For further information phone the hotline on How do I apply for a permit? Application for permit needs to be done through your local Rural Lands Protection Board (RLPB). See Permits for more information What is a Travelling Horse Statement? Movements of healthy horses will be allowed within the if a Travelling Horse Statement is completed. How do I obtain a Travelling Horse Statement? Apply online. Do I need a separate statement or permit for every animal? No. Permits and Travelling Horse Statements can include groups of horses travelling together. How do I register a race or event? Events in the Green Zone can be registered online. Events in the Purple Zone are currently allowed. Events in the Amber and Red Zones are generally not allowed. See the Amber Zone and Red Zone pages for details. An event is any gathering of 10 or more horses, or any number of horses from 3 or more properties. Events include races, gymkhanas, shows, pony clubs, rodeos, camp drafts, endurance, dressage, sales, etc. Do I have to register my horse? If you have horses or donkeys in the Red or Purple Zones (see the zoning and movements information for details) you are required to register your horse as soon as possible.

9 Equine influenza zoning and movement restrictions in New South Wales When equine influenza (EI) was confirmed in New South Wales on 24 August 2007, a complete ban on horse movements across the state was declared. Four weeks later, on Friday 21 September, a four-colour zoning system was introduced, with zones drawn according to the level of EI infection found in each area. On 27th September 2007 an additional zone was introduced - the Buffer Zone which is also referred to as the "Special Restricted Area (Hatched)". This zone is still be completed on maps. The zone boundaries are based on shire and council boundaries (local government areas), and also follow geographical and RLPB divisions where required. Table of Local Government Areas (LGAs) and their statuses LGA Name Classification ALBURY ARMIDALE DUMARESQ Red Zone applied to a 10km radius from a property, Heathersleigh Rd, Armidale Partially Buffer Zone - see Special Restricted Area Order [PDF] for details Remainder is an ASHFIELD AUBURN BALLINA BALRANALD

10 BANKSTOWN BATHURST REGIONAL BAULKHAM HILLS Partially Purple Zone - see Special Restricted Area Order [100kb PDF] Partially Red Zone - see Restricted Area Order [90kb PDF] BEGA VALLEY BELLINGEN BERRIGAN BLACKTOWN Partially Purple Zone - see Special Restricted Area Order [100kb PDF] Partially Red Zone - see Restricted Area Order [90kb PDF] BLAND BLAYNEY BLUE MOUNTAINS BOGAN BOMBALA BOOROWA

11 BOTANY BAY BOURKE BREWARRINA BROKEN HILL BURWOOD BYRON CABONNE CAMDEN CAMPBELLTOWN CANADA BAY CANTERBURY CARRATHOOL CENTRAL DARLING

12 CESSNOCK CLARENCE VALLEY COBAR COFFS HARBOUR CONARGO COOLAMON COOMA-MONARO COONAMBLE COOTAMUNDRA COROWA COWRA DENILIQUIN DUBBO Red Zone applied to a 10km radius from a property on Burroway Rd, Brocklehurst Partially Buffer Zone - See Special Restricted Area Order [PDF] for details

13 Remainder is an Amber Zone - see Control Order [60kb PDF] DUNGOG EUROBODALLA FAIRFIELD FORBES Red Zone applied to a 15km radius from Parkes Showground - see Restricted Area Order [90kb PDF] for details Partially Red Zone around Forbes - see Restricted Area Order [60kb PDF] for details Remainder is an Amber Zone - see Control Order [60kb PDF] GILGANDRA Red Zone applied to a 10km radius from a property, Quambone Rd Gulargambone Remainder is an Amber Zone - see Control Order [60kb PDF] GLEN INNES SEVERN SHIRE GLOUCESTER Partially - see Restricted Area Order [90kb PDF] Partially Buffer Zone (Special Restricted Area) - see Buffer Zone GOSFORD GOULBURN MULWAREE GREAT LAKES Partially - see Restricted Area Order [90kb PDF] Partially Buffer Zone (Special Restricted Area) - see Buffer Zone

14 GREATER HUME GREATER TAREE GRIFFITH GUNDAGAI GUNNEDAH GUYRA GWYDIR HARDEN HAWKESBURY Partially Purple Zone - see Special Restricted Area Order [100kb PDF] Partially Red Zone - see Restricted Area Order [90kb PDF] HAY HOLROYD HORNSBY Partially Purple Zone - see Special Restricted Area Order [100kb PDF] Partially Red Zone - see Restricted Area Order [90kb PDF] HUNTERS HILL

15 HURSTVILLE INVERELL JERILDERIE JUNEE KEMPSEY KIAMA Red Zone applied to a 10km radius from a property in Broughton Village Remainder is an Amber Zone - see Control Order [60kb PDF] KOGARAH KU-RING-GAI KYOGLE LACHLAN LAKE MACQUARIE LANE COVE LEETON

16 LEICHHARDT LISMORE LITHGOW LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL PLAINS LOCKHART MAITLAND MANLY MARRICKVILLE MID-WESTERN REGIONAL Red Zone applied to a 15km radius from a property, Cooyal Lane, Cooyal Partially Buffer Zone - see Special Restricted Area Order [PDF] for details Remainder is an Amber Zone - see Control Order [60kb PDF] MOREE PLAINS MOSMAN

17 MURRAY MURRUMBIDGEE MUSWELLBROOK Partially Purple Zone - see Special Restricted Area Order [80kb PDF] Partially Red Zone - see Restricted Area Order [90kb PDF] NAMBUCCA NARRABRI NARRANDERA NARROMINE NEWCASTLE NORTH SYDNEY OBERON ORANGE PALERANG PARKES Red Zone applied to a 15km radius from Parkes Showground Remainder is an Amber Zone - see Control Order [60kb PDF]

18 PARRAMATTA PENRITH Partially Purple Zone - see Special Restricted Area Order [100kb PDF] Partially Red Zone - see Restricted Area Order [90kb PDF] PITTWATER PORT MACQUARIE- HASTINGS Red Zone applied to a 10km radius from a property, Oxley Hwy, Wauchope Remainder is an Amber Zone - see Control Order [60kb PDF] PORT STEPHENS QUEANBEYAN CITY RANDWICK RICHMOND VALLEY ROCKDALE RYDE SHELLHARBOUR SHOALHAVEN Red Zone applied to a 10km radius from a property, Princes Hwy, Broughton Village Remainder is partially an Amber Zone - see Control Order [60kb PDF] and partially a Green Zone - see Control Order [90kb PDF]

19 SINGLETON Partially Purple Zone - see Special Restricted Area Order [80kb PDF] Partially Red Zone - see Restricted Area Order [90kb PDF] SNOWY RIVER STRATHFIELD SUTHERLAND SYDNEY TAMWORTH REGIONAL TEMORA TENTERFIELD TUMBARUMBA TUMUT TWEED UNINCORPORATED FAR WEST UNINCORPORATED (BOTANY BAY)

20 UNINCORPORATED (PORT JACKSON) UPPER HUNTER Partially Purple Zone - see Special Restricted Area Order [80kb PDF] Partially Red Zone - see Restricted Area Order [90kb PDF] UPPER LACHLAN SHIRE Partially Amber Zone - see Control Order [60kb PDF] Partially Green Zone - see Control Order [90kb PDF] URALLA Red Zone applied to a 10km radius from a property on Rimbanda Rd, Kentucky Remainder is an Amber Zone URANA WAGGA WAGGA WAKOOL WALCHA Red Zone applied to a 10km radius from a property Nowendoc Rd, Brackendale Remainder is an Amber Zone - see Control Order [60kb PDF] WALGETT Red Zone applied to a 10km radius from a property, Coonamble Remainder is an Amber Zone - see Control Order [60kb PDF] WARREN Partially Red Zone - Remainder is an Amber Zone - see Control Order [60kb PDF] WARRINGAH

21 WARRUMBUNGLE WAVERLEY WEDDIN WELLINGTON WENTWORTH WILLOUGHBY WINGECARRIBEE Partially - see Control Order [60kb PDF] Partially Buffer Zone (Special Restricted Area) - see Buffer Zone WOLLONDILLY WOLLONGONG WOOLLAHRA WYONG YASS VALLEY YOUNG Partially - see Restricted Area Order [90kb PDF] Partially Buffer Zone (Special Restricted Area) - see Buffer Zone Partially Red Zone - Remainder is an Amber Zone - see Control Order [60kb PDF]