EI lessons apply to other diseases
From the June 2008 edition of Agriculture Today.
News Release
The importance of on-farm biosecurity and keeping informed about disease threats have been demonstrated by the State’s speedy recovery from last year’s equine influenza (EI) outbreak, according to NSW deputy chief veterinary officer, Ian Roth.
"On-farm biosecurity played a crucial role in quickly limiting the spread of EI in NSW," Mr Roth said.
"The excellent co-operation of horse owners in abiding by movement restrictions, following disinfection procedures and quarantining their properties helped stop the virus spreading.
"Without new infections, the disease quickly burnt out.
"This demonstrates the value of good on-farm biosecurity at all times to protect against a range of conditions.
"It is not just of value in times of crisis.
"The lesson for all livestock owners is that good management includes always being aware of the possibility of undetected disease and taking practical steps to minimise any disease spread.
"Producers need to be aware of diseases that could occur in their areas and the ways of ensuring that these can be avoided, or the consequences minimised.
"Simple practices that can be implemented include not allowing unnecessary contact of your stock with other stock, ensuring that stock introductions will not bring disease on to the property and making sure any personnel who move between stock on properties use good cleaning techniques.
"Ensuring swill feeding doesn’t occur is also important to stop any illegally imported meat or dairy products getting into livestock.
"These basic principles apply for any diseases and for all farm animals.
"The lessons from horse flu apply equally to sheep, cattle, pigs and poultry."
Mr Roth said the EI outbreak also showed the importance of staying informed about disease threats and developments.
"Once the EI control operation swung into action following confirmation of the disease, we relied to some extent on horse owners keeping up to date with developments that could impact on them," he said.
"Much the same as during any crisis situation such as floods or fires, emergency resources were stretched to the limit.
"There was no way we could regularly inform every individual of the latest developments.
"We implemented a range of communication channels to help keep horse owners and the general public informed, such as a telephone call centre for the 1800 hotline, a comprehensive website, community meetings, advertising and providing continual updates to the news media.
"The sheer number of calls to the 1800 hotline number, for example, shows that horse owners took their emergency responsibility to seek appropriate information seriously.
"Horse owners did not wait until the threat was lapping at their feet, or expect to be rescued - they sought information, and then put it into practice.
"Without such a positive approach to both biosecurity and keeping themselves informed, NSW horse owners could today still be burdened with horse flu."
"If an even more devastating disease such as foot and mouth ever reaches our shores, the whole of Australia would rightly expect all stock owners to follow the excellent lead horse owners demonstrated throughout the EI crisis."
