Horse Owners Urged to Take Hendra Virus Vaccine Survey

The Australian Horse Industry Council is encouraging horse owners to take part in a survey about the Hendra virus vaccine, which is now available nationwide.

The vaccine is seen as a crucial tool in breaking the cycle of potential transmission to humans

Most studies to date had focused on higher-risk areas, but this had not shed any light on the views, knowledge, or practices of those elsewhere.

“Those outside the known Hendra virus risk areas will be a really valuable comparison group in the project,” the council said. “They will provide great baseline data and will help to provide a richer perspective on the issue of Hendra virus and its impacts.”

Senior Research Fellow Melanie Taylor said the ongoing research was focused on people involved with horses, with the aim of ensuring that they are at the centre of Hendra virus-related policy and research.

It aims to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of horse owners and those involved with horses over the next two years – and the changes to these over time.

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