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Australian veterinary journal2020; 98(7); 273-279; doi: 10.1111/avj.12957

Citizens’ juries give verdict on whether private practice veterinarians should attend unvaccinated Hendra virus suspect horses.

Abstract: Hendra virus (HeV) is endemic in Australian flying foxes, posing a threat to equine and human health. Equine vaccination remains the most effective risk mitigation strategy. Many horses remain unvaccinated - even in higher-risk regions. Debate surrounding the vaccine's use is characterised by conflicting perspectives, misunderstanding and mistrust. Private veterinary practitioners are critical to early identification of public health risk through recognition, sampling and management of suspect-equine-HeV-cases. However, managing such cases can be burdensome, with some veterinarians opting not to attend unvaccinated horses or to abandon equine practice because of risk posed by HeV disease and liability. Objective: Ascertain the perspectives of informed citizens on what obligations (if any) private veterinarians have to attend unvaccinated horses with HeV or HeV-like disease. Methods: Three citizens' juries were tasked with considering approaches to managing HeV risk in Australia, including (reported here) roles and obligations of private veterinarians in responding to HeV-suspect-cases. Results: Jurors acknowledged that HeV management posed an important challenge for private veterinarians. A clear majority (27 of 31 jurors) voted that veterinarians should not be obliged to attend unvaccinated horses. All recognised that greater support for veterinarians should be a priority. Conclusions: When informed of HeV risks and strategies for control and management, citizens appreciated the need to support veterinarians performing this critical 'One Health' role for public benefit. The current governance framework within which zoonotic disease recognition and response operates limits the contingency and scope for increasing support and efficacy of these important veterinary public health practices.
© 2020 Australian Veterinary Association.
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Publication Date: 2020-06-11 PubMed ID: 32529687DOI: 10.1111/avj.12957Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study focuses on the duty of veterinarians to attend to unvaccinated horses at risk of HeV disease. Using citizen juries, the researchers found that a majority did not consider it mandatory for veterinarians to attend unvaccinated horses with the Hev or Hev-like disease, insisting rather on more backing for veterinarians.

Objective

The research’s main goal was to establish informed citizens’ views on the responsibilities of private veterinarians in attending to unvaccinated horses that could potentially be affected by the Hendra virus (HeV).

Methodology

  • The researchers used three citizens’ juries to gather various approaches to managing the HeV risks in Australia.
  • These juries were given the task of analyzing and delivering verdicts on the roles and obligations of private veterinary practitioners in responding to possible cases of Hendra virus.

Results

  • 27 out of 31 jurors voted that veterinarians shouldn’t be obliged to attend unvaccinated horses, acknowledging that managing HeV was a significant challenge.
  • All jurors agreed that more support should be given to veterinarians in managing these cases.

Conclusions

  • After understanding the risks associated with HeV and its control measures, the jurors agreed that vets needed more support as they play a pivotal role in public health.
  • It was also noted that the existing policies limited the scope for improving the support and effectiveness of critical veterinary public health practices.

In essence, this study argues for the need to strengthen policies and supports for veterinarians to effectively play their role in managing and controlling diseases that can cross-over from animals to humans, such as the Hendra virus.

Cite This Article

APA
Annand EJ, Reid PA, Johnson J, Gilbert GL, Taylor M, Walsh M, Ward MP, Wilson A, Degeling C. (2020). Citizens’ juries give verdict on whether private practice veterinarians should attend unvaccinated Hendra virus suspect horses. Aust Vet J, 98(7), 273-279. https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.12957

Publication

Australian veterinary journal
ISSN: 1751-0813
NlmUniqueID: 0370616
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 98
Issue: 7
Pages: 273-279

Researcher Affiliations

Annand, E J
  • The University of Sydney, School of Veterinary Science, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
  • The University of Sydney, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
  • CSIRO, Health and Biosecurity, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
  • Equine Veterinary and Epidemiology Services, EquiEpiVet, Berrima, New South Wales, Australia.
Reid, P A
  • Private Equine Veterinary Practice, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Johnson, J
  • The University of Sydney, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
  • The University of Sydney, Sydney Health Ethics, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
  • Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Gilbert, G L
  • The University of Sydney, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
  • The University of Sydney, Sydney Health Ethics, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Taylor, M
  • Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Walsh, M
  • The University of Sydney, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
  • The University of Sydney, Sydney Health Ethics, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Ward, M P
  • The University of Sydney, School of Veterinary Science, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
  • The University of Sydney, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Wilson, A
  • The University of Sydney, Menzies Centre for Health Policy, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Degeling, C
  • University of Wollongong, Australian Centre for Health Engagement, Evidence and Values, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Australia
  • Hendra Virus
  • Henipavirus Infections / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Private Practice
  • Veterinarians
  • Zoonoses

Grant Funding

  • APP1083079 / National Health and Medical Research Council

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Annand EJ, Horsburgh BA, Xu K, Reid PA, Poole B, de Kantzow MC, Brown N, Tweedie A, Michie M, Grewar JD, Jackson AE, Singanallur NB, Plain KM, Kim K, Tachedjian M, van der Heide B, Crameri S, Williams DT, Secombe C, Laing ED, Sterling S, Yan L, Jackson L, Jones C, Plowright RK, Peel AJ, Breed AC, Diallo I, Dhand NK, Britton PN, Broder CC, Smith I, Eden JS. Novel Hendra Virus Variant Detected by Sentinel Surveillance of Horses in Australia. Emerg Infect Dis 2022 Mar;28(3):693-704.
    doi: 10.3201/eid2803.211245pubmed: 35202527google scholar: lookup
  2. White J, Thompson K, van den Berg D, O'Neill G, Mendez DH, Talwar J, Degeling C, Forsythe R, Durrheim DN. 'Pretty devastating': exploring horse owner and veterinarian lived experiences of the equine Hendra virus. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1661615.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1661615pubmed: 41357753google scholar: lookup
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