Survey of Australian equine veterinarians evaluating their biosecurity training and perceptions and opinions about the management of the 2007 equine influenza outbreak.
Abstract: To evaluate the level of biosecurity training among Australian equine veterinarians and to assess their perceptions of biosecurity and infectious disease risk and their opinions about the management of the 2007 equine influenza (EI) outbreak. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A survey was conducted among equine veterinarians attending the 2010 annual conference of the Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) in New South Wales, Australia. Data were collected using a self-completed questionnaire and analysed using Fisher's exact tests to assess veterinarians' levels of biosecurity training, their perceptions of infectious disease and views regarding the 2007 EI outbreak management. Results: A total of 46 of the 196 (23.5%) attending veterinarians completed the questionnaire. Significantly greater proportions of recently graduated veterinarians received theoretical and practical biosecurity training at veterinary schools than their older counterparts. The majority of respondents considered their likelihood of spreading infectious diseases from one client's horse to another to be low (84%). More than half (58%) of the veterinarians considered that hand-washing/wearing gloves was very effective in preventing disease spread. However, around one-quarter (27%) reported a degree of reservation about the practicality of performing general biosecurity practices in everyday working life. Overall, veterinarians were satisfied with the EI outbreak response, but had mixed opinions about the control measures and communications used. Conclusions: Levels of biosecurity training and the frequency of biosecurity advice provided by veterinarians have increased over time, although the practicality of biosecurity practices is a concern for some veterinarians. Further investigations of the barriers to the use of various biosecurity practices are required in order to inform training programs.
© 2014 Australian Veterinary Association.
Publication Date: 2014-03-29 PubMed ID: 24673133DOI: 10.1111/avj.12160Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article assesses the adequacy of biosecurity training among Australian equine veterinarians and their views on the management of the 2007 equine influenza outbreak.
Methodology
- The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study using a self-completed survey to gather data from equine veterinarians who attended the 2010 annual conference of the Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) in New South Wales, Australia.
- The data collected was then analysed using Fisher’s exact tests to establish levels of biosecurity training, practitioners’ perception of infectious disease risk, and their evaluation of the 2007 equine influenza outbreak control strategy.
Results
- The survey had a response rate of 23.5% with 46 of the 196 attending veterinarians completing the questionnaire.
- The findings indicated that recently graduated veterinarians received more theoretical and practical training on biosecurity measures compared to older counterparts.
- Most respondents (84%) believed they had a low chance of transmitting infectious diseases from one client’s horse to another.
- A significant majority (58%) acknowledged that hand-washing or wearing gloves was highly effective in preventing diseases from spreading. However, concerns were revealed as approximately one-quarter (27%) expressed doubt over the feasibility of implementing general biosecurity measures in daily routines.
- The veterinarians expressed satisfaction towards the response to the EI outbreak but presented mixed opinions on the implemented control measures and communication strategies.
Conclusions
- According to the study, the levels of biosecurity training and the frequency of biosecurity advice provided by veterinarians have increased over time. Despite this, the practicality of executing biosecurity practices continually poses as a challenge for some veterinarians.
- Investigations are therefore needed to identify impediments to implementing various biosecurity practices. The findings will be instrumental in informing more comprehensive and practical training programs.
Cite This Article
APA
Schemann K, Toribio JA, Taylor MR, Ward MP, Dhand NK.
(2014).
Survey of Australian equine veterinarians evaluating their biosecurity training and perceptions and opinions about the management of the 2007 equine influenza outbreak.
Aust Vet J, 92(4), 93-100.
https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.12160 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, 425 Werombi Road, Camden, New South Wales, 2570, Australia. Kathrin.Schemann@sydney.edu.au.
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Animals
- Australia
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Humans
- Influenza A virus / growth & development
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / epidemiology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / virology
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Veterinarians
- Young Adult
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Rutebemberwa E, Aku FY, Zein EIKA, Bellali H. Reasons for and barriers to biosafety and biosecurity training in health-related organizations in Africa, Middle East and Central Asia: findings from GIBACHT training needs assessments 2018-2019. Pan Afr Med J 2020;37:64.
- Mendez DH, Kelly J, Buttner P, Nowak M, Speare R. Management of the slowly emerging zoonosis, Hendra virus, by private veterinarians in Queensland, Australia: a qualitative study. BMC Vet Res 2014 Sep 17;10:215.
- Mendez D, Buttner P, Speare R. Hendra virus in Queensland, Australia, during the winter of 2011: veterinarians on the path to better management strategies. Prev Vet Med 2014 Nov 1;117(1):40-51.
- 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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