Freedom from Equine Influenza (EI)
On 30 June 2008, Australia officially declared itself free of Equine Influenza. No new cases of the virus have been reported in New South Wales and Queensland since 25 December 2007.
In late December 2008 supporting documentary evidence was submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) to achieve international recognition of freedom.
Australia is the only country in the world to have eradicated EI and proved scientifically that the virus is absent.
New South Wales and Queensland horse owners no longer need a permit to bring their horses, horse related equipment, including vehicles, trucks, trailers, fittings, riding equipment, and Diagnostic Laboratory Specimens etc. into Victoria.
This means that Victoria has completely returned to the status we enjoyed prior to the Australian EI outbreak in August 2007.
(a) There is a return to business as usual inside Australia, with free movement of horses and the holding of events without any restriction.
(b) International trade with respect to Australian horses has returned to normal.
There are two things horse owners and event organisers need to be aware of:
1. Vigilance and reporting sick horses
Although Australia is EI free, there are other contagious diseases of concern to the horse industry eg. Strangles, which are notifiable diseases. Owners concerned about the health of their horses should contact their local vet in the first instance. If a notifiable disease is suspected they should also contact their local DPI via local offices or phone the 24 hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
2. Horse Event Registration
Horse event organisers are encouraged to register their horse gathering on the DPI website. This provides information to assist in the tracing of horse movements that would be necessary to assist disease control measures.
What is EI?
EI is an exotic disease to Australia caused by a highly contagious virus that can be spread horse to horse or by humans on their skin, clothes and riding equipment. The main clinical signs of EI are usually a sudden increase in temperature (to between 39°C and 41°C); a deep, dry, hacking cough; and a watery nasal discharge, which may later contain pus. Other signs can include depression, loss of appetite, laboured breathing, and muscle pain and stiffness.
Affected horses, especially performance horses, can take weeks to recover. Donkeys may be more severely affected than horses. Once a horse has recovered and sufficient time (i.e. 30 days) has elapsed the horse poses no risk to other horses.
Further Information
|  | DPI Customer Service Centre: 136 186
24 hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888
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