Role of personal decontamination in preventing the spread of equine influenza.
Abstract: During the 2007 equine influenza (EI) outbreak, infected horses were quarantined at Morgan Park Recreational Grounds (MPRG) near Warwick, Queensland. Some individuals caring for horses were reported to have made return journeys between MPRG and home properties containing other horses during the time there was active infection at MPRG. Objective: A retrospective cohort study to assess the biosecurity and hygiene measures undertaken and their outcomes. Methods: All individuals recorded as being responsible for caring for one or more horses at MPRG, and who were also recorded on entry and exit logs at the gate to MPRG during the period of interest, and kept horses at their home property were contacted for a telephone questionnaire. Results: Of the 31 individuals identified, valid responses were obtained from 27 (87% response rate). Respondents had 2-25 horses at their home property, and 1-10 return trips were reported; 11 respondents reported contact with horses at home and provided information on biosecurity practices. Conclusions: Although horses at some home properties became infected with EI, it appears unlikely that this was the result of spread from MPRG via horse handlers. Simple preventive measures based on personal decontamination and other biosecurity measures are considered likely to have prevented spread of infection from MPRG to other properties.
© 2011 The Authors. Australian Veterinary Journal © 2011 Australian Veterinary Association.
Publication Date: 2011-07-08 PubMed ID: 21711308DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2011.00763.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article investigates if personal decontamination played a role in preventing the spread of equine influenza among infected horses at a park in Warwick, Queensland in 2007. The findings suggest that simple preventative measures, including biosecurity practices, likely helped curb the spread of the infection.
Research Objectives and Methods
- The main objective of this research was to evaluate the biosecurity and hygiene measures taken to mitigate the 2007 equine influenza outbreak, specifically focusing on personal decontamination practices of those caring for the horses.
- The method employed was a retrospective cohort study wherein the researchers identified individuals who cared for one or more horses at Morgan Park Recreational Grounds (MPRG) during the outbreak.
- These individuals were identified through records at the entrance and exit logs of the park. Only those who also maintained horses at their personal property were selected for the study.
- The selected individuals were interviewed via telephone to gather data regarding their interaction with the horses, the frequency of their visits, and the implementation of biosecurity practices at their home.
Research Findings
- A total of 31 individuals were identified who met the criteria, with valid responses obtained from 27, yielding an 87% response rate. These participants reported owning between 2 and 25 horses at their home property.
- Between 1 and 10 return trips from the MPRG to their homes during the period of active infection were reported.
- Out of the 27 respondents, 11 maintained contact with horses at their personal property and provided information on implemented biosecurity practices.
- The study found that while some horses at respondents’ home properties became infected with equine influenza, it was unlikely that this was due to transmission from MPRG via the horse handlers.
Conclusions
- The research concluded that personal decontamination and other biosecurity measures likely played a significant role in preventing the spread of equine influenza from MPRG to personal properties.
- This implies that these simple practices could be effective in controlling the spread of the virus in similar settings or scenarios.
Cite This Article
APA
Frazer JL, Perkins NR, Pitt D.
(2011).
Role of personal decontamination in preventing the spread of equine influenza.
Aust Vet J, 89 Suppl 1, 120-124.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2011.00763.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- MAF Biosecurity, New Zealand. jaimie.frazer@maf.govt.nz
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cohort Studies
- Decontamination
- Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Humans
- Influenza A Virus, H3N8 Subtype / growth & development
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / epidemiology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary
- Quarantine / veterinary
- Queensland / epidemiology
- Retrospective Studies
- Surveys and Questionnaires
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- 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.
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