2007 Australian Equine Influenza Outbreak - Response and Precautions

Response and Precautions

A 10 km (6 mi) quarantine zone was declared around Eastern Creek Quarantine Station and the Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre, where the first infections were identified, on 24 August. Quarantine zones were then placed around each new infection site.

Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran ordered a 72-hour nationwide ban on all horse and harness racing on 25 August.

A national standstill was decided by the National Committee for Exotic Animal Disease to begin at 1pm on Saturday 25 August. Each state and territory was responsible for enacting the legal instrument within their borders. All horse movements were halted within New South Wales on 25 August, initially for 72 hours. The Control Order was made under the Exotic Diseases of Animals Act 1991 making it illegal to move horses. The Australian Capital Territory, contained wholly within New South Wales, was also declared a quarantine zone with no horse movements permitted across the border. The whole of Victoria was declared a Control Area on 25 August; shortly after, movement bans within Victoria were lifted, but bans on the import of horses and equine gear into Victoria remained until 15 January 2008. Western Australia imposed a 72 hour standstill. Queensland Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin declared the entire state an Equine Standstill Zone from 25 August. The Northern Territory government placed a 72 hour ban on horse movements from 27 August.

Sydney's Randwick Racecourse was locked down on 27 August after two horses presented with flu symptoms. Federal Primary Industries Minister Senator Ian Macdonald extended the 72 hour ban on horse movement by 7 days. The New South Wales government subsequently made the ban on horse movements and race meetings indefinite.

Federal Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd called for an independent inquiry into the Australian quarantine system.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries warned horse owners against buying EI vaccine online as the importation of vaccines is illegal.

The Agricultural Societies Council banned horses from agricultural shows at Grenfell, Narromine, Barmedman, Lake Cargelligo, Finley, Manildra, Minto and Woodstock.

The Werribee Open Range Zoo cancelled its rhinoceros tour as a precaution, banned human contact with its zebras and took its horses and donkeys off public display.

On 2 September the Australian Prime Minister, the hon. John Howard, ordered a public inquiry into the outbreak of EI in Australia. Appointing retired former High Court judge Ian Callinan to conduct the inquiry, the Prime Minister stated that judge Callinan would have sweeping powers to investigate "every aspect" of the crisis. Initial reports say that 100 people are in line to be questioned in the inquiry, which is believed to be centring around the Eastern Creek quarantine station in Sydney's western suburbs.