Japanese Encephalitis Virus Detected in Australia

NZB Airfreight would like to inform its customers that Australia has recently detected Japanese Encephalitis Virus in pigs throughout the eastern states.

Restrictions have been put in place for all horses that are within 100 kilometres of an infected piggery, this includes all Australian-based New Zealand horses.

A horse is known as a ‘dead-end’ host and does not pose any threat to humans or other horses. However, should a client's horse be located within 100 kilometres of an infected piggery, NZB Airfreight will be required to either move them to a property outside the 100-kilometre radius for a period of 21 days or begin a vaccination programme that will take five weeks to complete.

We are currently working very closely with NZEHA and MPI on this and NZB Airfreight anticipates that MPI can find a resolution to this situation reasonably quickly. In the interim to continue trade, all horses that return to New Zealand will need to be closely monitored for 21 days after arrival in accordance with new MPI conditions.

NZB Airfreight will endeavour to keep all parties up to date with any progress on this issue. Should customers have any intention of either importing horses or exporting horses with the intention to return to New Zealand in the coming weeks, NZB Airfreight would strongly advise clients to contact the team so it can explain the current situation and what it can offer in regards to flights.

As NZB Airfreight understands, the virus is widespread in Northern Victoria (extending down to the outskirts of Melbourne), however, the metropolitan racetracks (and main breeding centres in New South Wales) are not affected at this stage. NZB Airfreight are finding some farms further out are within the infected area and as surveillance is still ongoing, more properties could fall inside the inclusion zone at any stage.

More information can be found on the New Zealand Equine Health Association (NZEHA) website at the following link.

Should customers have any more direct enquiries please do not hesitate to contact a member of the NZB Airfreight team here.