Navigation path
Vaccinations continue in buffer zone
News release | 05 October, 2007
Queensland will take delivery of an additional 4,800 vials of ProteqFlu equine influenza vaccine on Saturday with another shipment on Monday, which will allow a further expansion of the vaccination program to create a buffer zone in the state´s south east.
Since last weekend, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) has been concentrating on establishing a large "buffer zone" around the known areas of horse flu infection in the Red Zone (see attached map), while the racing industry has been vaccinating its precincts, under authority from the CVO and in line with national agreements.
DPI&F Biosecurity Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer Ron Glanville said Australia had now purchased the entire stock of available ProteqFlu vaccine worldwide.
"The vaccine distribution to the affected states is decided by a National Management Group," he said.
"Queensland´s first priority has been putting the buffer zone in place and also those large groups of horses that make a significant contribution to the economy and people´s livelihoods.
"This includes racing precincts, horses in pre-training and other locations where high performance horses are kept, such as the Australian Outback Spectacular on the Gold Coast and Mounted Police horses.
"The aim is to get those industries and up and running as quickly as possible so people can get back to work.
"With this new shipment we can expand our activities in the buffer zone.
"The exact boundary of the buffer zone is still being fine-tuned and people with horses in that area should be aware that it is not yet final."
Dr Glanville said despite the rapid rollout of the vaccination program, this was not the time to let our guard down.
"The vaccine does not replace the need for strict biosecurity," he said.
"Biosecurity measures must continue until all infected horses stop shedding the virus, which could take months.
"It is critical that people do not move horses in the Red Zone.
"The vaccine does not provide total immunity but it does reduce the severity of the illness, enabling faster recovery from infection, and it reduces the amount of virus excreted by infected horses, which reduces the chance of spreading the virus."
Vaccination:
- provides significant immunity within 14 days of the first of two injections
- a booster dose after five months will provide protection for about one year in total
- can be used safely on foals, pregnant mares, lactating mares and older horses, but not on sick or high risk horses such as those that have had severe pneumonia.
For regular updates, to register your horse and apply for a movement permit, or view the buffer zone maps, visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au and subscribe to the e-newsletter.
For the exact location of buffer zones visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au/equine-influenza
For more information call 13 25 23 (8am-8pm).
Media contact: , 3239 0698
