The role of land use patterns in limiting the spread of equine influenza in Queensland during the 2007 epidemic.
Abstract: In 2007, an epizootic of equine influenza (EI) occurred in Australia, involving parts of the states of Queensland and New South Wales. Following an extensive control program, the disease was eradicated within 4 months, after infecting more than 75,000 horses on over 10,000 properties. In Queensland, examination of land use patterns revealed that the majority of infected premises (89.5%) were located in one of three land use classes viz. rural residential, residential-unspecified or grazing natural vegetation. All nine clusters of infection in Queensland were surrounded to some degree by parcels of land whose designated use precluded the presence of horses. In four clusters, these horse-free areas completely enclosed the cluster and spread was limited to a relatively small area whereas the remaining five clusters were not completely surrounded by horse-free buffers and spread was much more extensive. The cumulative incidence of infection with EI dropped from 41% of properties in rural-residential areas to 4% of properties located further than 5 km from rural-residential areas. This decrease was associated with a 10-fold increase in the median size of properties and a 5-fold decrease in the density of horses on those premises. There was a strong negative correlation between the cumulative incidence of infection and the median property size (R = -0.91, P < 0.05) and a positive correlation with the horse density on those properties (R = 0.93, P < 0.01).
Publication Date: 2009-05-22 PubMed ID: 19486310DOI: 10.1111/j.1865-1682.2009.01080.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article discusses how land use patterns contributed to containing the 2007 equine influenza breakout in Queensland, Australia. With the majority of infected horse farms in areas of rural residence or grazing, the study suggests that clusters free from horse animals were instrumental in limiting the disease’s spread.
Objective of the Study
- The study aimed to examine the influence of land use patterns on the spread of the equine influenza virus during the 2007 outbreak in Queensland, Australia. The researchers employed statistics to demonstrate the relationships between property size, horse density, and the prevalence of equine influenza.
Key Findings
- More than 89.5% of the infected premises were located in rural residential, residential-unspecified, or grazing natural vegetation areas.
- All nine clusters of equine infection in Queensland were surrounded, to varying degrees, by lands where horses were not permitted. These horse-free zones constrained the spread of the virus, particularly where they fully enclosed a cluster.
- The rate of infection declined sharply from 41% in rural residential areas to just 4% in areas situated more than 5 kilometres from rural residential areas. This drop coincided with an increase in property size and a decrease in horse density.
Statistical Associations
- A strong negative correlation (-0.91, P < 0.05) was found between the cumulative incidence of equine influenza and the median size of the properties. This result suggests that larger properties are less prone to infection, possibly due to fewer horses and more space allowing for social distancing among animals.
- A significant positive correlation was established (0.93, P < 0.01) between the incidence of equine influenza and horse density on those properties, indicating that places with a higher concentration of horses are more susceptible to larger outbreaks.
Implications
- Findings lend support to the hypothesis that land use patterns can play a critical role in controlling the spread of equine influenza. Areas without horses served as effective buffers that helped halt the disease’s reach.
- The study may inform future policies on land use and animal husbandry, especially in areas at risk of similar epidemics.
Cite This Article
APA
East IJ.
(2009).
The role of land use patterns in limiting the spread of equine influenza in Queensland during the 2007 epidemic.
Transbound Emerg Dis, 56(8), 292-302.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1865-1682.2009.01080.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Agriculture Fisheries & Forestry, Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer, Canberra City, ACT, Australia. iain.east@daff.gov.au
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cluster Analysis
- Demography
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horse Diseases / transmission
- Horses
- Influenza A Virus, H3N8 Subtype
- Male
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / epidemiology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / transmission
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary
- Population Density
- Queensland / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- 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).
- Bryant NA, Paillot R, Rash AS, Medcalf E, Montesso F, Ross J, Watson J, Jeggo M, Lewis NS, Newton JR, Elton DM. Comparison of two modern vaccines and previous influenza infection against challenge with an equine influenza virus from the Australian 2007 outbreak. Vet Res 2010 Mar-Apr;41(2):19.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
