8262

	va1-sg19016.securesites.net

	version=3.1.8





****************************************************************







issued at 2.00 PM [Australia time] Sat 1 Sep 2007

----------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Key Points

--------------

Equine Influenza (EI) was 1st detected at Eastern Creek Quarantine 

Station (ECQS), Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia, on 17 Aug 

2007. Sick horses were seen on 22 Aug 2007 at Centennial Parklands 

Equestrian Centre (CPEC) in Sydney.



There are currently 63 infected premises (IPs) in Australia; 9 of 

these are in Queensland (Qld) and the remainder in NSW. There are 

currently more than 310 dangerous contact properties (DCPs) being 

assessed and more than 280 are in NSW.



Numerous horses at Randwick racecourse in Sydney have tested 

positive. The Randwick racecourse complex is one IP and the disease 

is expected to spread within this population of racehorses.



At this stage it is not possible to identify the index case. A 

standstill continues to apply to all equines in the jurisdictions of 

Queensland, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory. 

Other jurisdictions have relaxed movement restrictions based on a 

risk assessment process agreed by all of the state and territory 

Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) and the Australian CVO.



Almost all IPs continue to be detected on the basis of tracing 

information. There has been evidence of lateral spread between farms 

in some peri-urban areas. Extension efforts to encourage high levels 

of bio-security are continuing.



2. Current situation

----------------------

Laboratory results from AAHL (Australian Animal Health Laboratory) 

have shown the virus from the 1st 2 IPs, multiple other locations in 

NSW, and from Warwick, Qld, to be H3 Equine Influenza.



New South Wales

---------------

Aberdeen, Arcadia, Berry, Cattai, Charmhaven, Clarendon, Cooranbong, 

Eagleton, Eastern Cree, Glenhaven, Glenorie, Gloucester, Glossodia, 

Kulnurra, Kurrajong, Londonderry, McCullys Gap, Maitland, Moonbi, 

Moree, Moore Park, Mount Hunter, Muswellbrook, Palm Grove, Parkes, 

Pitt Town, Quakers Hill, Randwick, Raymond Terrace, Redfern, Scone, 

Terry Hie Hie, Timbumburi, Tintinhul, and Wilberforce.



Eastern Creek Quarantine Station

--------------------------------

All horses are being monitored. Of the 50 swabs taken from horses on 

23 Aug 2007, 4 have returned positive PCR (polymerase chain reaction) 

results. NSW has declared an air exclusion zone for one nautical mile 

[1852 m] around and for 700 feet [213.36 m] above the ECQS facility.



Queensland

----------

The IPs are at Warwick (2), Minden (2), Rosewood (2), Brisbane west 

(2), and Tamborine (1). A total of 6 sites have been identified 

linked to a Narrabri horse event with a number of horses showing 

clinical signs consistent with EI. Most horses at the Morgan Park 

site at Warwick have now exhibited clinical signs of respiratory disease.



Other jurisdictions

-------------------

Surveillance activities in all states continue unchanged. Suspect 

cases of EI must be reported to state authorities. It is an offence 

not to report.



3. Response

---------------

A Local Disease Control Centre (LDCC) has been established at the NSW 

DPI's (Department of Primary Industries) Elizabeth Macarthur 

Agricultural Institute (EMAI) at Menangle via Camden just south of 

Sydney. Queensland has established a local disease control centre 

(LDCC) at Toowoomba and a State Disease Central Headquarters (SDCHQ) 

in Brisbane.



10 km (6.2 mi) restricted areas have been declared around each of the 

IPs. No movement of horses is permitted within, into, or out of these 

areas. Further tracing of horse movements onto and off newly detected 

IPs is being urgently undertaken. All tracing cases are being 

investigated and inspected according to a formal protocol.



The public is being asked to report all horses with a fever and 

respiratory signs to the LDCC for follow up.



4. Further information

-------------------------



NB. This report is base on information from state agencies at the 

time, and may not reflect the current situation, given the rate at 

which events are unfolding.



-

Eva-Maria Bernoth, Dr med vet

Australian Chief Veterinary Officer (A/g)

Product Integrity, Animal and Plant Health Division

Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

GPO Box 858, Canberra ACT 2601





Equine influenza - Australia (NSW, QLD) 20070829.2836

Equine influenza - Australia (NSW) 20070829.2829

Equine Influenza, equine - Australia ex Japan (02) 20070825.2798

Equine Influenza, confirmed - Australia (ex Japan) 20070824.2787

........................................arn/mj/jw