Horse owners’/managers’ perceptions about effectiveness of biosecurity measures based on their experiences during the 2007 equine influenza outbreak in Australia

Abstract

Following the first ever equine influenza outbreak in Australia in 2007, a study was conducted involving 200 horse owners and managers to determine their perceptions about effectiveness of biosecurity measures and the factors associated with these perceptions. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with horse owners/managers to obtain information about their perceptions of the effectiveness of biosecurity practices, their sources of information about infection control during the outbreak and their horse industry involvement. Two outcome variables were created from horse owners’ responses to a 17-item question on the perceived effectiveness of various recommended equine influenza biosecurity measures: (a) a binary outcome variable (Low/High biosecurity effectiveness) and (b) a continuous outcome variable (the proportion of the 17 measures considered ‘very effective’). These outcomes were used in binomial logistic and linear regression analyses, respectively, to determine factors associated with perceptions of biosecurity effectiveness. Variables with a p-value <0.05 in multivariable models were retained in the final models.

The majority (83%) of the 200 horse owners and managers interviewed believed that more than half of the recommended equine influenza biosecurity measures were very effective for protecting their horses from equine influenza infection in the event of a future outbreak. Interviewees that were more likely to judge on-farm biosecurity measures as effective were those who received infection control information from a veterinarian during the outbreak, did not experience equine influenza infection in their horses, and those on small acreage premises (homes with horses on site). Greater levels of preparedness for a future equine influenza outbreak and greater interest in information about infection control were associated with a better perception about effectiveness of biosecurity measures.

This study identified factors associated with horse owners’ and managers’ perception of effectiveness of biosecurity measures. These findings should be considered in the design of infection control programs.

Introduction

In late August 2007, Australia experienced its first ever outbreak of equine influenza, a highly contagious respiratory disease affecting all members of the Equidae family. The outbreak followed the importation of infected horses from Japan and subsequent escape of the virus from the Eastern Creek quarantine facility in Sydney, New South Wales (NSW) (Callinan, 2008). On 24 August 2007, initial laboratory confirmation was received that horses at a large equestrian facility in central Sydney were infected with equine influenza virus. Over a period of 4 months, the virus spread through major parts of the state of NSW and into south-eastern Queensland. The last case was detected in Queensland on 25 December 2007. In order to control, contain and eradicate the disease, the government implemented outbreak control measures, including movement restrictions, vaccination, quarantining of properties and issuing of biosecurity guidelines (NSW DPI, 2007a, DEEDI, 2011). Biosecurity guidelines included personal hygiene, equipment hygiene and access control measures and were based on expert advice, as at the time of the outbreak, no research had been conducted into the effectiveness of on-farm biosecurity measures for equine influenza control. This study was conducted to investigate horse owners’ sources of biosecurity information and the factors associated with the perception of biosecurity effectiveness.

A large body of literature supports a range of theories for human behaviour modification, particularly regarding health protective behaviours. A recent review by Bish and Michie (2010) examined 26 papers and concluded that a greater belief in the effectiveness of recommended behaviours to protect against a disease is an important predictor of human behaviour during pandemics. In the United States trends in general biosecurity practices on equine operations have been monitored since 1998 (APHIS, 2007), in contrast, no such data is available in Australia. In a study conducted with 2760 Australian horse owners during the 2007 equine influenza outbreak (Taylor et al., 2008, Taylor and Agho, 2009) the majority of respondents reported practicing at least some access control and personal hygiene measures to protect their horses from equine influenza, and most of these respondents believed that these measures were effective. Further research identified that Australian horse owners who believed in the effectiveness of their current on-farm hygiene measures were more likely to demonstrate a high level of compliance with general recommended biosecurity measures (Schemann et al., 2010). The aim of this study was to investigate information sources used by horse owners and managers during the 2007 equine influenza outbreak in Australia, and the factors associated with perceptions about effectiveness of the recommended on-farm biosecurity measures. This information is important for animal health authorities in their efforts to influence voluntary compliance with biosecurity policies, through ensuring that extension activities are appropriately focused. Specific knowledge regarding the factors that influence perceptions of biosecurity effectiveness can inform the design of infection control programmes, whether they are for preventing future exotic disease incursions or controlling endemic diseases.