Horse owners’/managers’ perceptions about effectiveness of biosecurity measures based on their experiences during the 2007 equine influenza outbreak in Australia.
Abstract: Following the first ever equine influenza outbreak in Australia in 2007, a study was conducted involving 200 horse owners and managers to determine their perceptions about effectiveness of biosecurity measures and the factors associated with these perceptions. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with horse owners/managers to obtain information about their perceptions of the effectiveness of biosecurity practices, their sources of information about infection control during the outbreak and their horse industry involvement. Two outcome variables were created from horse owners' responses to a 17-item question on the perceived effectiveness of various recommended equine influenza biosecurity measures: (a) a binary outcome variable (Low/High biosecurity effectiveness) and (b) a continuous outcome variable (the proportion of the 17 measures considered 'very effective'). These outcomes were used in binomial logistic and linear regression analyses, respectively, to determine factors associated with perceptions of biosecurity effectiveness. Variables with a p-value <0.05 in multivariable models were retained in the final models. The majority (83%) of the 200 horse owners and managers interviewed believed that more than half of the recommended equine influenza biosecurity measures were very effective for protecting their horses from equine influenza infection in the event of a future outbreak. Interviewees that were more likely to judge on-farm biosecurity measures as effective were those who received infection control information from a veterinarian during the outbreak, did not experience equine influenza infection in their horses, and those on small acreage premises (homes with horses on site). Greater levels of preparedness for a future equine influenza outbreak and greater interest in information about infection control were associated with a better perception about effectiveness of biosecurity measures. This study identified factors associated with horse owners' and managers' perception of effectiveness of biosecurity measures. These findings should be considered in the design of infection control programs.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2012-02-10 PubMed ID: 22326045DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2012.01.013Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The article discusses a study on horse owners’ and managers’ perception of the efficacy of biosecurity measures during the 2007 equine influenza outbreak in Australia. The research involved 200 participants and aimed to identify factors influencing these perceptions.
Research Methodology
- The research involved conducting face-to-face interviews with 200 horse owners and managers. The interviews sought to gather information on their views of the effectiveness of biosecurity practices during the equine influenza outbreak.
- Participants were also asked about their sources of infection control information during the outbreak and their involvement in the horse industry.
- A 17-item question was used to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of the various recommended equine influenza biosecurity measures and two outcome variables were derived from the responses – a binary outcome (Low/High biosecurity effectiveness) and a continuous outcome (the proportion of the 17 measures considered ‘very effective’).
- These outcomes formed the basis for binomial logistic and linear regression analyses, which sought to identify factors associated with perceptions of biosecurity effectiveness. Variables with a p-value less than 0.05 in multivariable models were considered significant and retained in the final models.
Research Findings
- The results showed that the majority of the participants (83%) believed that more than half of the recommended equine influenza biosecurity measures were very effective in protecting their horses from another influenza outbreak.
- Participants who obtained infection control information from a veterinarian during the outbreak, did not have horses infected with equine influenza, and those with horses on smaller acreage premises were more likely to perceive on-farm biosecurity measures as effective.
- Furthermore, the study revealed that greater preparedness for a future equine influenza outbreak and greater interest in information about infection control were associated with better perceptions about the effectiveness of biosecurity measures.
Implications of the Study
- The study identified several factors influencing horse owners’ and managers’ perception of the effectiveness of biosecurity measures during an equine influenza outbreak. Such findings could be instrumental in shaping future infection control programs.
- Overall, these findings highlight the importance of communication between veterinarians and horse owners/managers, preparedness for potential outbreaks, and the need for appropriate resources for managing potential biosecurity breaches.
Cite This Article
APA
Schemann K, Firestone SM, Taylor MR, Toribio JA, Ward MP, Dhand NK.
(2012).
Horse owners’/managers’ perceptions about effectiveness of biosecurity measures based on their experiences during the 2007 equine influenza outbreak in Australia.
Prev Vet Med, 106(2), 97-107.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2012.01.013 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, 425 Werombi Road, Camden 2570, NSW, Australia. kathrin.schemann@sydney.edu.au
MeSH Terms
- Animal Husbandry
- Animals
- Australia
- Communicable Disease Control / standards
- Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Female
- Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Humans
- Influenza A Virus, H3N8 Subtype
- Linear Models
- Male
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / virology
- Surveys and Questionnaires
Citations
This article has been cited 14 times.- Gonzalez-Obando J, Forero JE, Zuluaga-Cabrera AM, Ruiz-Saenz J. Equine Influenza Virus: An Old Known Enemy in the Americas. Vaccines (Basel) 2022 Oct 14;10(10).
- Aliro T, Chenais E, Odongo W, Okello DM, Masembe C, Ståhl K. Prevention and Control of African Swine Fever in the Smallholder Pig Value Chain in Northern Uganda: Thematic Analysis of Stakeholders' Perceptions. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:707819.
- Ward AB, Stephen K, Argo CM, Harris PA, Watson CA, Neacsu M, Russell W, Grove-White DH, Morrison PK. COVID-19 impacts equine welfare: Policy implications for laminitis and obesity. PLoS One 2021;16(5):e0252340.
- Acharya KR, Plain KM, Whittington RJ, Dhand NK. Australian Veterinarians' Perceptions Regarding the Zoonotic Potential of Mycobacterium avium Subspecies Paratuberculosis. Vet Sci 2020 Mar 19;7(1).
- Singh RK, Dhama K, Karthik K, Khandia R, Munjal A, Khurana SK, Chakraborty S, Malik YS, Virmani N, Singh R, Tripathi BN, Munir M, van der Kolk JH. A Comprehensive Review on Equine Influenza Virus: Etiology, Epidemiology, Pathobiology, Advances in Developing Diagnostics, Vaccines, and Control Strategies. Front Microbiol 2018;9:1941.
- DuBois C, Hambly Odame H, Haley DB, Merkies K. An exploration of industry expert perception of Canadian equine welfare using a modified Delphi technique. PLoS One 2018;13(7):e0201363.
- Chapman GE, Baylis M, Archer DC. Survey of UK horse owners' knowledge of equine arboviruses and disease vectors. Vet Rec 2018 Aug 4;183(5):159.
- Kuster K, Cousin ME, Jemmi T, Schüpbach-Regula G, Magouras I. Expert Opinion on the Perceived Effectiveness and Importance of On-Farm Biosecurity Measures for Cattle and Swine Farms in Switzerland. PLoS One 2015;10(12):e0144533.
- Nöremark M, Sternberg-Lewerin S. On-farm biosecurity as perceived by professionals visiting Swedish farms. Acta Vet Scand 2014 May 9;56(1):28.
- Schemann K, Firestone SM, Taylor MR, Toribio JA, Ward MP, Dhand NK. Perceptions of vulnerability to a future outbreak: a study of horse managers affected by the first Australian equine influenza outbreak. BMC Vet Res 2013 Jul 31;9:152.
- Brennan ML, Christley RM. Cattle producers' perceptions of biosecurity. BMC Vet Res 2013 Apr 10;9:71.
- Turcotte GK, O'Sullivan TL, Spence KL, Winder CB, Greer AL. Biosecurity perspectives of equestrian competition organizers in Ontario, Canada. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1713303.
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- Medeiros PR, Figueiredo LS, de Melo UP, Mariz ALB, de Brito EL, Araújo IRDS, Silva ALDC, Costa MHDS, Ferreira C, Assis DB, da Silva CRM, de Souza AL, de Souza MPDS. Survey on sanitary practices and knowledge about infectious diseases among equine owners in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Braz J Vet Med 2023;45:e003323.
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