Abstract
Hendra virus is a highly pathogenic novel paramyxovirus causing sporadic fatal infection in horses and humans in Australia. Species of fruit-bats (genus Pteropus), commonly known as flying-foxes, are the natural host of the virus. We undertook a survey of horse owners in the states of Queensland and New South Wales, Australia to assess the level of adoption of recommended risk management strategies and to identify impediments to adoption. Survey questionnaires were completed by 1431 respondents from the target states, and from a spectrum of industry sectors. Hendra virus knowledge varied with sector, but was generally limited, with only 13% of respondents rating their level of knowledge as high or very high. The majority of respondents (63%) had seen their state’s Hendra virus information for horse owners, and a similar proportion found the information useful. Fifty-six percent of respondents thought it moderately, very or extremely likely that a Hendra virus case could occur in their area, yet only 37% said they would consider Hendra virus if their horse was sick. Only 13% of respondents stabled their horses overnight, although another 24% said it would be easy or very easy to do so, but hadn’t done so. Only 13% and 15% of respondents respectively had horse feed bins and water points under solid cover. Responses varied significantly with state, likely reflecting different Hendra virus history. The survey identified inconsistent awareness and/or adoption of available knowledge, confusion in relation to Hendra virus risk perception, with both over-and under-estimation of true risk, and lag in the uptake of recommended risk minimisation strategies, even when these were readily implementable. However, we also identified frustration and potential alienation by horse owners who found the recommended strategies impractical, onerous and prohibitively expensive. The insights gained from this survey have broader application to other complex risk-management scenarios.
Highlights
Hendra virus was first described in 1994 in Australia when it caused disease and death in horses and close-contact humans [1,2]
All confirmed or possible equine Hendra virus cases have occurred in the eastern states of Queensland and New South Wales [15], horse owners in these states were the target of our survey
We found enduring confusion in relation to Hendra virus risk perception, with both over-and under-estimation of true risk
Summary
Hendra virus was first described in 1994 in Australia when it caused disease and death in horses and close-contact humans [1,2]. All human cases are attributed to direct contact with the body fluids of infected horses [4,13,14]. Strategies for managing exposure risk in horses focus on minimising potential equine contact with flying-fox body fluids; strategies for managing human exposure risk focus on avoiding direct and unprotected contact with sick horses [15,16]. The nomadic (and nocturnal) life history traits of flyingfoxes preclude effective management of their movements, so risk minimisation strategies target the horse environment at an individual property level, and include recommendations such as covering feed bins and water troughs, and excluding horse access to pasture beneath flowering or fruiting trees in which flying-foxes are feeding [16]. The objective was to assess the level of adoption of the recommended strategies and identify impediments to adoption
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
