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Australian veterinary journal2011; 89 Suppl 1; 75-78; doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2011.00752.x

Risk of an equine influenza virus reservoir establishing in wild horses in New South Wales during the Australian epidemic.

Abstract: Australia has the world's largest population of wild equids and equine influenza (EI) was confirmed on several properties in New South Wales (NSW) close to uncontrolled areas of land during the 2007 outbreak. Likelihood and risk management assessments were carried out to determine the risk of EI infection of the wild horse populations. The likelihood of spread to the wild horse population was determined to be extremely low, but the likelihood of spread from an established wild horse reservoir back to domestic horses was considered high. The most effective mechanism of control was determined to be prevention of the spread of EI into the wild horse population through a vaccination buffer zone between EI infection foci and known wild horse populations.
Publication Date: 2011-07-08 PubMed ID: 21711296DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2011.00752.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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This study assessed the potential for equine influenza (EI) to establish in wild horse populations in New South Wales, Australia during the 2007 outbreak, and concluded that while the likelihood of spread to wild horses was low, the risk of spread from wild horses to domestic ones was high.

Risk Assessment of Equine Influenza Spread

  • This research aimed to evaluate the risk of equine influenza (EI) transferring to the wild horse populations during the outbreak in 2007.
  • Consideration was given to the fact that Australia has the largest number of wild equids globally and the existence of EI on various properties near unmanaged land areas.
  • The measure of risk was calculated by performing possibility and risk management assessments, aiming to ascertain the potential of EI infection in wild horse populations.
  • The research discovered that the likelihood of EI spread to wild horse communities was significantly low.

Transmission from Wild Horses to Domestic Horses

  • The investigation further delved into the potential of EI transmission from the infected wild horse population to domestic horses.
  • The findings indicated that the possibility of such a spread was relatively high, signifying a grave risk to domestic horses which are in close vicinity with their wild counterparts.

Control Mechanisms

  • After assessing the risks, the research proposed mechanisms for the control and prevention of EI.
  • The most impactful measure was determined to be the prevention of the EI spread into wild horse populations.
  • Employing a vaccination buffer zone emerged as a solution. This buffer zone was to be established between the EI infection sources and known wild horse populations, reducing the likelihood of transmission.

Implications of the Research

  • This analysis brings to light the risks associated with the transmission of diseases between wild and domestic animal populations.
  • It also provides practical mechanisms of prevention such as vaccination buffer zones to mitigate these risks.
  • These findings are relevant not only for the management of Equine influenza, but could potentially be applied to other zoonotic diseases.

Cite This Article

APA
Gilchrist P, Sergeant ES. (2011). Risk of an equine influenza virus reservoir establishing in wild horses in New South Wales during the Australian epidemic. Aust Vet J, 89 Suppl 1, 75-78. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2011.00752.x

Publication

ISSN: 1751-0813
NlmUniqueID: 0370616
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 89 Suppl 1
Pages: 75-78

Researcher Affiliations

Gilchrist, P
  • NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange, NSW, Australia. warraba@nobbys.net.au
Sergeant, E S G

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Animals, Wild
    • Carrier State / epidemiology
    • Carrier State / veterinary
    • Carrier State / virology
    • Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control
    • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
    • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
    • Horse Diseases / virology
    • Horses
    • Influenza A Virus, H3N8 Subtype / growth & development
    • New South Wales / epidemiology
    • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / epidemiology
    • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary
    • Risk Assessment / methods

    Citations

    This article has been cited 2 times.
    1. Paillot R, El-Hage CM. The Use of a Recombinant Canarypox-Based Equine Influenza Vaccine during the 2007 Australian Outbreak: A Systematic Review and Summary. Pathogens 2016 Jun 10;5(2).
      doi: 10.3390/pathogens5020042pubmed: 27294963google scholar: lookup
    2. Paillot R. A Systematic Review of Recent Advances in Equine Influenza Vaccination. Vaccines (Basel) 2014 Nov 14;2(4):797-831.
      doi: 10.3390/vaccines2040797pubmed: 26344892google scholar: lookup