Prompt purple zone vaccination needed to speed up EI eradication

Owners of uninfected horses in the equine influenza (EI) purple zone have been urged to contact their local vet as soon as possible to ensure their horses can be vaccinated before Christmas.

NSW deputy chief veterinary officer, Steve Dunn, said the sooner uninfected horses were vaccinated, the sooner EI would burn out in the purple zone.

"Vaccination is free for horses in the purple zone that have not been infected, as they are still susceptible to the virus," he said.

"Infected horses that have since recovered from EI infection will have developed their own natural immunity to further infection and will not be vaccinated."

To date, 9053 horses in the purple zone have been vaccinated to help flood the zone with EI-resistant horses.

"Important milestones in the battle against EI are achieved on a regular basis now, so it’s important everyone keeps up their biosecurity standards to ensure these victories continue," Mr Dunn said.

"This includes continuing to keep people away from your horses, not going near other people’s horses, showering after being near horses and changing and washing your clothes before and after handling horses."

The EI purple zone was created in areas of high infection rate and high horse density to free up movement within the zone.

The aim now is to clear the zone of infection by letting it burn out.

"Vaccinating uninfected horses within the purple zone will increase the number of immune horses, reduce the chances of virus escape and speed up the recovery phase," Mr Dunn said.

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