Risk Mitigation of Emerging Zoonoses: Hendra Virus and Non-Vaccinating Horse Owners.
Abstract: Hendra virus was identified in horses and humans in 1994, in Queensland, Australia. Flying foxes are the natural host. Horses are thought to acquire infection by direct or indirect contact with infected flying fox urine. Humans are infected from close contact with infected horses. To reduce risk of infection in horses and humans, Australian horse owners are encouraged to vaccinate horses against the virus and adopt property risk mitigation practices that focus on reducing flying fox horse contact and contamination of horses' environment with flying fox bodily fluids. This study investigates uptake of four Hendra virus risk mitigation practices in a sample of non- and partially vaccinating horse owners living close to previous Hendra virus cases. Protection motivation theory was used to develop a conceptual model to investigate risk perception and coping factors associated with uptake of risk mitigation practices. An online survey was administered via Facebook pages of veterinary clinics close to previous Hendra virus cases. Factors associated with uptake of risk mitigation practices were investigated using univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression. Belief that a risk mitigation practice would be effective in reducing Hendra virus risk was significantly associated with the uptake of that practice. Issues around the practicality of implementing risk mitigation practices were found to be the greatest barrier to uptake. Factors that relate to risk immediacy, such as nearby infection, were identified as more likely to trigger uptake of risk mitigation practices. The role of veterinarians in supporting Hendra risk mitigation was identified as more influential than that of respected others or friends. Findings from this study are being used to assist stakeholders in Australia responsible for promotion of risk mitigation practice in identifying additional pathways and reliable influencing factors that could be utilized for engaging and communicating with horse owners to promote Hendra virus risk mitigation behaviour.
© 2017 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2017-01-04 PubMed ID: 28054443DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12588Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research paper investigates the efficacy of Hendra virus risk mitigation practices among horse owners who do not or only partially vaccinate their horses against this virus in Australia. Factors influencing the adoption of these practices and possible strategies for encouraging their application are examined using an online survey.
Study Background
- The Hendra virus was first discovered in horses and humans in Queensland, Australia in 1994. Its natural host is the flying fox. Horses acquire the infection via direct or indirect contact with infected flying fox urine. Humans, on the other hand, get infected through close contact with infected horses.
- To minimize the risk of infection, horse owners in Australia are advised to vaccinate their horses and implement risk mitigation measures to reduce horse-flying fox contact and prevent contamination of horses’ environment with flying fox bodily fluids.
Methodology
- This study investigates the adoption of four Hendra virus risk mitigation practices among a group of non-vaccinating and partially vaccinating horse owners.
- The researchers used the protection motivation theory to develop a conceptual model to investigate risk perception and coping factors associated with uptake of risk mitigation practices.
- To gather data, an online survey was administered via Facebook pages of veterinary clinics located near previous Hendra virus cases.
- We then used univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression to identify factors associated with the adoption of risk mitigation practices.
Findings
- The belief that a risk mitigation practice would effectively reduce Hendra virus risk significantly influenced its uptake.
- Practical issues pertaining to the implementation of risk mitigation practices represented the biggest barrier to their adoption.
- Factors directly associated with the risk, such as proximity to an infection case, were more likely to prompt the uptake of risk mitigation practices.
- The vet’s role in promoting Hendra risk mitigation had a greater influence on uptake than advice from respected individuals or friends.
Impact and Application
- The findings of this study provide valuable insights for stakeholders in Australia responsible for promoting risk mitigation practices. It helps them identify additional routes and reliable influencing factors to maximize engagement and communication with horse owners, thereby promoting Hendra virus risk mitigation behaviour more effectively.
Cite This Article
APA
Manyweathers J, Field H, Jordan D, Longnecker N, Agho K, Smith C, Taylor M.
(2017).
Risk Mitigation of Emerging Zoonoses: Hendra Virus and Non-Vaccinating Horse Owners.
Transbound Emerg Dis, 64(6), 1898-1911.
https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.12588 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centre for Health Research, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY, USA.
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Wollongbar, NSW, Australia.
- School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
- Centre for Science Communication, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
- Centre for Health Research, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Biosecurity Queensland, Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Coopers Plains, Qld, Australia.
- Centre for Health Research, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Adult
- Animals
- Australia / epidemiology
- Chiroptera / virology
- Hendra Virus / immunology
- Henipavirus Infections / epidemiology
- Henipavirus Infections / prevention & control
- Henipavirus Infections / transmission
- Henipavirus Infections / virology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horse Diseases / transmission
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Hospitals, Animal
- Humans
- Middle Aged
- Risk
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Vaccination / veterinary
- Veterinarians
- Viral Vaccines / immunology
- Zoonoses
Citations
This article has been cited 14 times.- Wyler MKE. Public acceptance of policy measures to prevent and combat infectious diseases in pets: a systematic literature review. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1603592.
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