A deliberate introduction of a virus is likely to test the capability of emergency crews to contain the outbreak. The western region is busy testing some 30 officers and other agencies, by way of 'Exercise Trigger' at the Dubbo saleyards and in Boggabri and Narrabri.

This epidemic of a highly contagious animal disease is a large-scale response across the three locations, Co-coordinator, Tony Byrnes.

"In this particular situation, without giving too much away, we would be responding some specialist units to the Boggabri site to deal with the origin, if you like, of the introduced animal disease”, he further added.

An involvement of personnel’s from the New South Wales Police, Industry and Investment, the Greater Western Area Health Service, Welfare Services, NSW Ambulance, the Rural Fire Service, the Hunter-New England Health Service and the NSW Fire Brigades is due.

Western Region Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner Steve Bradshaw said that this exercise is very important since the outbreak of any contagious communicable disease is likely to affect the Australian rural industry.

In such a situation, there would a requirement of Government national response from emergency services and other supporting and government agencies.