It is no secret that social media has the power to influence the masses. In recent years, this power has been harnessed by companies and organizations in order to promote their products and services through viral marketing campaigns. However, there is a downside to this type of marketing, as was recently seen with the outbreak of influenza in horses and humans in Australia.
The Australian Department of Health issued a warning to people who had come into contact with horses after several cases of human influenza were linked to horse racing events. This warning highlights the potential dangers of viral marketing, as it can lead to the spread of disease if not properly managed. While companies may see viral marketing as a quick and easy way to reach a large audience, they need to be aware of the risks involved.
If a company is promoting a product or service that could potentially cause harm to people or animals, they need to take measures to ensure that their campaign does not result in an outbreak of disease.
We all know the perils of viral marketing. A company releases a new product or service and, within days, it’s being shared all over social media by people who have no idea what they’re talking about. The result is often disastrous, with customers left feeling misled and angry.
But did you know that viral marketing can also be dangerous for your health? That’s right – if you’re not careful, you could end up catching the flu from a horse. Yes, really.
It might sound like something out of a science fiction novel, but it’s actually a very real possibility. Horses are susceptible to influenza, just like humans, and they can easily pass the virus on to us if we’re not careful. So how can you protect yourself from this equine menace?
Well, first of all, it’s important to wash your hands thoroughly after coming into contact with any horse – even if you don’t think they’re sick. And secondly, make sure you get your flu shot every year! This will help reduce your risk of catching the virus in the first place.
So there you have it – now you know the perils of viral marketing… and why horses should always be treated with caution!

Credit: www.horsetalk.co.nz
What Type of Virus is Equine Influenza?
Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection that can affect horses of all ages. There are many different types of influenza viruses, but the most common type in horses is equine influenza virus (EIV). EIV is classified as a respiratory pathogen and can cause severe respiratory disease in horses.
Symptoms of EIV include fever, coughing, runny nose, and increased respiratory effort. In some cases, horses may also develop pneumonia, which can be fatal. EIV is spread through contact with infected respiratory secretions from other horses or by contact with contaminated surfaces.
The virus can live on objects such as hay nets, buckets, and tack for several hours. Infected horses can spread the virus to other horses even before they show any clinical signs of illness. For this reason, it’s important to isolate any horse that shows signs of EIV and to disinfect any equipment or surfaces that may have been exposed to the virus.
There is no specific treatment for EIV, but supportive care can help alleviate symptoms and prevent secondary bacterial infections.
How is Equine Influenza Transmitted?
Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease of horses, donkeys and mules. It is caused by the equine influenza virus (EIV), which is a member of the Orthomyxoviridae family of viruses. EIV is classified into three subtypes: A/H3N8, A/H7N7 and A/H3N2.
The A/H3N8 subtype is the most common in North America, while the A/H3N2 subtype predominates in Europe. EIV is spread through direct contact with infected respiratory secretions, such as saliva, mucus or nasal discharge. It can also be spread indirectly, via contaminated equipment, clothing or hands.
The virus can remain infectious on surfaces for up to 48 hours and in hay for up to 14 days. Clinical signs of equine influenza include fever, cough, runny nose and reduced appetite. In severe cases, pneumonia may develop.
Horses can recover from mild cases within 2-3 weeks, but more severe cases can take 4-6 weeks or longer to resolve. There is no specific treatment for equine influenza; affected horses must be allowed to rest and recover on their own.
How Can the Bird Flu Transform into a Flu That Can Infect Humans?
The bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a virus that primarily affects birds. However, in rare cases, this virus can mutate and infect humans. When this happens, it is referred to as a pandemic.
The most recent bird flu pandemic occurred in 2009 and was caused by the H1N1 virus. This virus originated in birds, but eventually made its way to humans via pigs. In addition to causing severe respiratory illness in humans, the H1N1 virus also resulted in a significant number of deaths worldwide.
There are many different types of bird flu viruses, but only a few of them have the potential to infect humans. For example, the H5N1 virus is highly pathogenic and has caused numerous outbreaks in poultry populations around the world. This virus can be transmitted from birds to humans through direct contact or exposure to infected fluids (such as saliva or feces).
In addition, the H7N9 virus has caused several outbreaks of avian influenza in China since 2013. This virus also has the ability to infect humans, although the risk of human-to-human transmission is relatively low at this time. When these viruses do make the jump from birds to humans, they can cause severe respiratory illness.
Symptoms of bird flu include fever, coughing and difficulty breathing. In some cases, death may occur within just a few days after infection occurs.
Can Humans Get Hpai?
Yes, humans can get HPAI. However, it is very rare for humans to contract HPAI from birds. There have been a few documented cases in which people have gotten HPAI from contact with infected birds or bird flu-infected environments, but this is not common.
The vast majority of human cases of HPAI have been associated with direct exposure to poultry slaughter or processing facilities. In these instances, workers were exposed to the virus through contact with contaminated surfaces or airborne particles containing the virus. In addition, there have been a limited number of cases in which people contracted HPAI after receiving respiratory therapy with a nebulizer that was previously used on an infected bird.
How do viruses jump from animals to humans? – Ben Longdon
Conclusion
The blog post discusses the dangers of viral marketing when it comes to influenza in horses and humans. It is important to be careful when sharing information about horse health, as there is a risk of the virus spreading to people. The author warns against using social media to promote products that claim to prevent or cure influenza, as this can lead to people self-medicating and potentially making the situation worse.