Horse owners’/managers’ perceptions about effectiveness of biosecurity measures based on their experiences during the 2007 equine influenza outbreak in Australia.

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.