The 2007 outbreak of equine influenza in Australia: lessons learned for international trade in horses.
Abstract: In August 2007 Australia experienced its first outbreak of equine influenza. The disease occurred first in a quarantine station for imported horses near Sydney and subsequently escaped into the general horse population. After an extensive campaign the disease was eradicated and Australia is again recognised as free of this disease. Equine influenza was then, and is now, recognised to be the major disease risk associated with live horse imports into Australia and measures designed to mitigate this risk formed the basis of the quarantine protocols then in place. Subsequent investigations into the cause of the outbreak identified failures in compliance with these quarantine requirements as a contributing factor. It is also likely that the immunity of horses vaccinated as part of the import protocol was less than optimal, and that this had a significant role to play in the escape of the disease from quarantine.
Publication Date: 2011-08-04 PubMed ID: 21809755DOI: 10.20506/rst.30.1.2021Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research article discusses the 2007 outbreak of equine influenza in Australia, the associated failures in quarantine protocols, and the important lessons for international horse trade.
Introduction
The research begins by providing a contextual backdrop, explaining that in August 2007, Australia experienced its first outbreak of equine influenza. It highlights that the disease initially manifested within a quarantine facility intended for imported horses near Sydney and eventually infiltrated the broader horse population.
- The study indicates that after a widescale campaign, the disease was successfully eliminated, and Australia once again was declared free of the infestation.
Research Focus
The paper underscores that equine influenza was identified as a major risk associated with the live importation of horses into Australia even prior to the outbreak. Investigations after the incident revealed negligence towards adherence to these quarantine guidelines as a significant cause, mainly:
- The quarantine guidelines were implemented to alleviate the risk, but consistent non-compliance led to the outbreak.
- Moreover, it discusses that the immunity level of the horses, who were vaccinated under the import protocol, was discovered to be inadequate. Therefore, it is marked as a vital contributory factor in the spread of the ailment outside the specified quarantine premises.
Conclusion & Future implications
Concluding, this research is not only a historical review of the 2007 influenza outbreak in Australia but also an important lesson for the future, as it unearths some significant aspects regarding live horse trades. The study makes clear that spreading such infections can be effectively prevented by ensuring strict adherence to quarantine rules and developing optimal vaccination protocols for horses.
- It creates a pressing need to rectify these loopholes in order to maintain a healthy horse population and limit the implications of future potential outbreaks for the international trade of live horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Watson J, Daniels P, Kirkland P, Carroll A, Jeggo M.
(2011).
The 2007 outbreak of equine influenza in Australia: lessons learned for international trade in horses.
Rev Sci Tech, 30(1), 87-93.
https://doi.org/10.20506/rst.30.1.2021 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Private Bag 24, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Australia / epidemiology
- Commerce / legislation & jurisprudence
- Commerce / standards
- Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Influenza A Virus, H3N8 Subtype / immunology
- Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / epidemiology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary
- Quarantine / legislation & jurisprudence
- Quarantine / standards
- Vaccination / legislation & jurisprudence
- Vaccination / standards
- Vaccination / veterinary
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