Aussie horse owners could do better with their Hendra precautions – survey

Hendra virus

A survey of Equus caballus owners inwards Queensland together with New South Wales reveals that spell most perceive Hendra virus equally a risk, many are non taking precautions to protect themselves or their horses from potential infection. 
Biosecurity Queensland’s principal veterinarian officer, Rick Symons, said the the early-2012 survey assessed how good Equus caballus owners understood Hendra virus together with to what score they had set inwards house practices to minimise infection risk.

“The survey was undertaken before long afterward the unprecedented eighteen Hendra virus incidents inwards 2011, which occurred across Queensland together with New South Wales together with prior to the vaccine for horses beingness introduced,” he said.

“The survey is the commencement of its form inwards price of reach together with scale together with aimed to render a unique insight into the human side of Hendra virus gamble management.”

A amount of 1850 people participated inwards the survey, amongst nearly 1500 coming from the target states.

“Results from the survey identified inconsistent awareness close Hendra virus equally good equally inconsistency inwards the adoption of practices that tin dismiss assist protect owners together with their horses,” he said.

“Disconcertingly, a relatively modest set out of Equus caballus owners indicated they were labor measures to cut down interactions betwixt their horses together with flight foxes.

“This includes measures such equally roofing nutrient together with H2O containers, removing horses from areas where flight foxes feed, together with where possible stabling horses at night.

“These practices are of import inwards reducing the gamble of Hendra virus infection together with other diseases that horses may contract – people need to endure vigilant inwards taking appropriate hygiene together with biosecurity measures when working amongst horses.

“While the Hendra virus vaccine has been a meaning footstep forrad inwards breaking the Hendra virus cycle, it should non supersede basic biosecurity measures that proceed horses away from flight foxes.”

Symons said a pleasing effect was that nearly two-thirds of respondents had seen a regime Hendra virus information pack or guidelines together with regarded the information equally useful inwards helping them to minimise Hendra virus risks.

“While people are accessing information, the survey results volition assist us inwards farther refining the details provided to Equus caballus owners together with manufacture close Hendra virus to ensure people tin dismiss brand informed decisions close how to protect themselves together with their horses,” Symons said.

The survey was an inaugural of, together with funded by, Biosecurity Queensland inwards partnership amongst New South Wales Department of Primary Industries together with the University of Western Sydney.

The amount survey results tin dismiss endure flora at www.daff.qld.gov.au

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