The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries reported today (Oct. 25) that there are 5,050 infected properties, 459 dangerous contact properties, and 492 suspect properties. Of the 12,068 horses targeted for vaccination in buffer areas, 8,443 horses have been vaccinated thus far.

Queensland reported as of Oct. 25, there are 1,640 infected properties, an increase of 76 from Oct. 23. The Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has introduced an inner buffer zone as part of the strategic plan to further contain this disease to southeast Queensland. Vaccination is continuing.

“Progress towards re-zoning is being made at a very encouraging rate,” noted the New South Wales press release. “Changes in zoning of some areas from amber to green and from red to amber would mean a freeing-up of restrictions in some of the amber and red zones and would be a big step on the way back to normal operations and eradication of equine influenza.

“As part of the progress towards re-zoning, surveillance testing is being undertaken to confirm which isolated red zones are free of the disease. The testing required is quite extensive and may take up to two weeks to finalise. This is a crucial step: before any change in zoning can be made, we must be completely confident that the disease has been eradicated in those areas