Australia's Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD) met this morning (25 August 2007) to discuss responses to the strong suspicion that equine influenza has occurred in two premises near Sydney, one at the Eastern Creek Quarantine Station and the other at the Centennial Park Equestrian Centre. A complete standstill has been declared on all movements of horses, including donkeys and mules, in NSW by the NSW Department of Primary Industries in an effort to control the spread of equine influenza and to prevent it from becoming established in Australia. NSW Department of Primary Industries is sending Inspectors under the Stock Diseases Act 1923 to inspect horses where there is concern that they may have been exposed to an infected horse.

The Chief Veterinary Officers of other states and territories, together with industry representatives agreed at this morning's CCEAD meeting to recommend a 72 hour national standstill on horse movements, starting from 1.00 pm today as part of a coordinated national response consistent with Australia's veterinary emergency plan (AUSVETPLAN). The purpose is to reduce the risk of spreading infection by avoiding congregations of horses from different origins. Racing clubs and other equine associations are being asked to cancel or postpone any meetings or events. Owners are also being asked to limit contact between their horses and other horses as much as possible and not to move their horses.

For events already underway, organisers are requested to contact the State Department of Agriculture regarding advice on how to manage the standstill in relation to these events.

For states other than NSW, some movement of horses in transit will be allowed to continue, if they had already left their usual place of residence. They will be able to return provided that the journey can be completed expeditiously:

• only within the state
• preferably completed within 4 hours
• completed with no contact with other horses not of the same consignment (or at the same event).
• The movement is directly back to the premises from which the current journey originated and on which the horses had been held or were present immediately prior to the recent movement

Note that for NSW a complete standstill applies i.e. no movement at all.

On return home the horses should be isolated from other horses and watched closely for fever and respiratory signs. Equine influenza can be spread by humans so wash hands and change clothes before handling other horses. All horse owners should keep a close watch on their animals and report any signs of fever, coughing or respiratory symptoms to their local veterinarian.

Further information on equine influenza is available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horse/influenza.

DISINFECTION AND APPROVED DISINFECTANTS

Equine influenza virus can easily be killed by vigorous cleaning and disinfection of potentially contaminated objects and is rapidly inactivated by exposure to ultraviolet light.

A dirty surface must always be cleaned thoroughly before it can be satisfactorily disinfected. Organic material such as dirt, manure and straw may neutralise the disinfectant and make it useless. It is therefore most important that anything that must be disinfected is first thoroughly washed and cleaned and finally washed down or sprayed with an approved disinfectant.

Virkon® at a 1:100 dilution rate is the disinfectant of first choice for use on clothing, footwear, transport vehicles and equipment. Where bulk disinfection of stables and buildings is required is required, other chemicals may be more cost-effective. As disinfectants and chemicals can be irritant, persons handling them should always read the product label and follow the manufacturer's instructions, and wear protective clothing as necessary.

Further information about cleaning and disinfection can be found in the AUSVETPLAN Decontamination Manual which is available on-line at www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/programs/eadp/ausvetplan_home.cfm.