Restrictions Due To New Zealand Kennel Cough Outbreak
By GRNSW
Greyhound Racing NEW ZEALAND has recently had a widespread outbreak of Kennel Cough, which has had a major impact on the available racing population due to scratchings and restrictions placed on affected kennels.
The disease has been caused by an organism called Mycoplasma cynos which is a common cause of Kennel Cough around the world, and while particularly contagious, clinical signs in affected dogs are generally mild and are responsive to treatment with specific antibiotics. There is no vaccine available.
As such, GWIC is placing restrictions on the movement of any greyhound travelling from NEW ZEALAND to NSW as follows:
A NSW owner, trainer or breeder, intending to receive a greyhound that has been in NEW ZEALAND at any stage in the 21 days prior to any proposed travel to NSW, must advise GWIC of their intention of receiving a NEW ZEALAND greyhound at least three business days prior to the date of receipt of that greyhound by notification to vets@gwic.nsw.gov.au and include a copy of the health certificate obtained for travel to Australia.
Any greyhound arriving from NEW ZEALAND will need to be quarantined (no movement unless veterinary emergency) and isolated from all other greyhounds at the property for:
at least 21 days
or produce a negative swab test for Mycoplasma cynos, collected 10 days after arrival prior to quarantine restrictions being eased by approval of the GWIC Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO).
It is very important that strict biosecurity protocols are observed and any greyhound arriving from NEW ZEALAND must be isolated from all other greyhounds during this period of quarantine and must not move without prior approval of the CVO.
Participants must please notify GWIC if they have concerns regarding any infectious disease at their property, including Kennel Cough.
For further information read the Kennel Cough FAQs here.
