Reflections on the 2007 equine influenza outbreak

Abstract

In late August 2007, Australia experienced its largest animal disease emergency with an outbreak of equine influenza (EI). This followed the importation of one or more infected horses and the entry of the virus into the Australian horse population. There are a number of aspects of this event that are not only applicable to the diagnosis and control of other high-consequence animal diseases but there are also many elements of interest and relevance to public health. In particular, there were interesting insights into the speed and manner of virus dissemination in a naive population. The benefits and capacity of real-time PCR and associated technology to support an emergency disease investigation and response were demonstrated, while the value of using a combination of a ‘marker’ vaccine and serological test that would differentiate between infected and vaccinated animals was clearly proven. Ultimately, the virus was eradicated following an outbreak on a scale and in a time frame not previously achieved in any other country.