Significant features of the epidemiology of equine influenza in Queensland, Australia, 2007

An outbreak of equine influenza (EI) caused by influenza A H3N8 subtype virus occurred in the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales in August 2007. Infection in the Australian horse population was associated with the introduction of infection by horses from overseas. The first case of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Australian veterinary journal 2011-07, Vol.89 (s1), p.78-85
Main Authors: Kung, N, Mackenzie, S, Pitt, D, Robinson, B, Perkins, NR
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
biosecurity
Cluster Analysis
Disease Outbreaks - veterinary
epidemiology
equine influenza
exotic animal disease
Horse Diseases - epidemiology
Horse Diseases - transmission
Horse Diseases - virology
Horses
Incidence
Influenza A Virus, H3N8 Subtype - growth & development
New South Wales - epidemiology
Orthomyxoviridae Infections - epidemiology
Orthomyxoviridae Infections - transmission
Orthomyxoviridae Infections - veterinary
Orthomyxoviridae Infections - virology
Population Surveillance - methods
Quarantine - veterinary
Queensland
Queensland - epidemiology
Vaccination - veterinary
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Summary:An outbreak of equine influenza (EI) caused by influenza A H3N8 subtype virus occurred in the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales in August 2007. Infection in the Australian horse population was associated with the introduction of infection by horses from overseas. The first case of EI in Queensland was detected on 25 August 2007 at an equestrian sporting event. Infection subsequently spread locally and to other clusters through horse movements prior to the implementation of an official standstill. There were five main clusters of infected properties during this outbreak and several outliers, which were investigated to find the potential mechanism of disease spread. To contain the outbreak, Queensland was divided into infection status zones, with different movement controls applied to each zone. Vaccination was implemented strategically in infected areas and within horse subpopulations. Control and eventual eradication of EI from Queensland was achieved through a combination of quarantine, biosecurity measures, movement control, rapid diagnostic testing and vaccination.
ISSN:0005-0423
1751-0813
DOI:10.1111/j.1751-0813.2011.00781.x