The Australian equine flu outbreak of 2007 is a cautionary tale for New Zealand. Here are ten things that our country can learn from Australia’s experience in order to prevent a similar disaster from happening here.
1. Be prepared: have a contingency plan in place before an outbreak occurs.
This should include identifying potential quarantine sites, stocking up on supplies, and training personnel on biosecurity protocols.
2. Act quickly: once an outbreak is confirmed, move swiftly to contain it. This may mean imposing travel restrictions, quarantining infected horses, and stepped-up cleaning and disinfection efforts.
3. Don’t take chances: even if only a few horses are affected, it’s better to err on the side of caution and treat it as a serious situation. The sooner you act, the greater the chance of containing the virus.
4. Communicate with stakeholders: keep horse owners informed about what’s happening and what steps they need to take to protect their animals.
Open communication will help to build trust and cooperation during a difficult time. 5. Be transparent: share information openly and honestly with the public – this will help to dispel rumours and calm fears. 6….
The horse flu outbreak in Australia is a timely reminder for New Zealand to get its own house in order when it comes to biosecurity. Here are ten things we can learn from our neighbours across the Tasman:
1. Be prepared – have a biosecurity plan in place and make sure all horse owners are aware of it.
2. Be vigilant – keep an eye out for any sick horses and report them immediately.
3. Isolate sick animals – don’t let them mix with healthy ones to avoid spreading the disease.
4. Get vaccinated – both horses and humans should be vaccinated against equine flu.
5. Clean up – disinfect stables, equipment and clothing regularly to prevent the spread of germs. 6. Dispose of waste properly – used straw, bedding and manure should be disposed of carefully to avoid contaminating other areas.
Credit: www.horsetalk.co.nz
Which Countries are Not Affected With Equine Influenza?
Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease of horses, donkeys, and mules. It is caused by an influenza virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae. There are three types of equine influenza viruses: A, B, and C. Type A is the most common and causes the most serious disease.
It is found worldwide. Type B occurs sporadically in Europe and North America, while type C has only been found in Japan. There is no country that is completely free of equine influenza, but some countries have very low levels of the virus.
These include Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, and Norway. In general, countries with a high level of horse husbandry practices and biosecurity measures tend to have lower levels of the virus.
How Can You Prevent the Spread of Equine Influenza?
Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease of horses, ponies and donkeys. It is caused by the equine influenza virus (EIV), which is a member of the Orthomyxoviridae family of viruses. EIV is classified into two subtypes: H7N7 and H3N8.
There are four ways to help prevent the spread of equine influenza:
1. Vaccinate all horses, ponies and donkeys against equine influenza according to the manufacturers’ instructions.
2. Isolate new arrivals on your premises for at least 14 days before mixing with other unvaccinated animals.
3. Do not share equipment such as brushes, combs or tack between different groups of horses. 4. If you suspect that one of your animals has equine influenza, seek veterinary advice immediately and do not move any other horses off your premises until you have confirmation from a vet that they are free from infection.
Can Equine Influenza Affect Humans?
Yes, equine influenza can affect humans. However, it is not a common occurrence and usually only affects those who have close contact with horses, such as grooms, trainers, or riders. The symptoms in humans are typically mild and include fever, coughing, and runny nose.
In severe cases, pneumonia can develop. There is no specific treatment for human infection with equine influenza; however, most people recover within a few weeks without any long-term effects.
Can Humans Spread Equine Flu?
Humans can spread equine flu, but it is not common. The virus that causes equine flu is different from the viruses that cause human influenza, so it is not easily transmitted between species. However, there have been a few documented cases of humans spreading the equine flu virus to horses.
In these cases, the humans were in close contact with sick horses and were likely infected through their mucous membranes (nose, mouth, eyes). Horses are much more susceptible to equine flu than humans, so even if a human does contract the virus, they are unlikely to become very ill. If you have any concerns about contracting equine flu from a horse, it is best to consult a veterinarian or other animal health professional.
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Conclusion
There are ten things that New Zealand can learn from Australia’s equine flu outbreak. First, it is important to have a good biosecurity plan in place. Second, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease.
Third, it is important to quarantine any sick animals. Fourth, it is important to vaccinate all horses against the disease. Fifth, it is important to disinfect all equipment and premises that have been in contact with sick horses.
Sixth, it is important to dispose of all manure and bedding from sick horses in a safe manner. Seventh, it is important to monitor all horses for signs of illness. Eighth, it is important to report any suspicious cases of illness to the authorities immediately.
Ninth, it is important to follow up on any suspected cases of equine flu with testing and treatment as soon as possible.