Bulahdelah horse owners urged to register their animals

Owners of horses in the equine influenza (EI) vaccination buffer south and east of Bulahdelah have been urged to register their animals with the Gloucester Local Vaccination Centre.

Registered animals in the buffer bordering the infected purple zone may be eligible for free EI vaccination as part of the NSW campaign to contain the spread of the highly contagious virus.

"Vaccination teams are concerned there may be unregistered horses on small properties in the area," NSW deputy chief veterinary officer, Steve Dunn, said.

"The effectiveness of the buffer could be compromised if we don’t vaccinate enough horses in critical locations, so it’s vitally important we find all eligible horses.

Mr Dunn said the main areas of concern were the many small valleys in the buffer south of Bulahdelah.

"The Pacific Highway runs through many of these little valleys and there are more small valleys east of the highway between The Lakes Way and Hawks Nest," he said.

"People with unvaccinated horses in these areas should call the Gloucester Local Vaccination Centre on 6558 1707 to find out if their horses require vaccination.

"I stress that vaccination is mandatory for all horses in some areas of the buffer, while horses in other parts may not be vaccinated.

"Vaccinated horses will receive a second injection after four to six week to obtain longer term immunity to horse flu."

Contacts
NSW equine influenza hotline: 1800 675 888
Website: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza