Insights into the economic consequences of the 2007 equine influenza outbreak in Australia

Abstract

We estimate and describe the financial costs of the equine influenza (EI) outbreak in Australia, including the costs of emergency response measures and lost income/assets to businesses, associations and private horse owners. Costs to associations, governments and industry are discussed. We identify a lack of reliable data about the financial costs of the EI outbreak to the non-racing sectors of the horse industry.

Perceptions of vulnerability to a future outbreak: a study of horse managers affected by the first Australian equine influenza outbreak

“…Despite the low mortality associated with disease and its ultimate eradication, horse owners and industry participants were greatly inconvenienced and suffered considerable financial and emotional hardships [12,16-19]. Commencing in early spring, the outbreak and associated movement restrictions, impeded horse travel for sporting and breeding purposes, imminent at that time of year.…”

“…In 2007, this included qualification events for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games [10]. People deriving their primary income through horses or horse-related activities for example commercial stud farms, training centres, riding schools, veterinarians, farriers, horse chiropractors and dentists and horse event transport and catering service providers, all suffered economic impacts [17,19]. …”

Untangling the complex inter-relationships between horse managers’ perceptions of effectiveness of biosecurity practices using Bayesian graphical modelling

“…The virus was released probably due to failure of biosecurity procedures at the quarantine station (Callinan, 2008) and eventually infected more than 70,000 horses on over 9,000 premises. The outbreak caused severe disruption to horse-related activities and resulted in substantial losses to the horse industry and the government (Hoare, 2011;Smyth et al, 2011) despite being eradicated within about five months using movement controls, vaccination and on-farm biosecurity strategies (Webster, 2011).…”

Pathology of equine amnionitis and foetal lLoss: clinical and experimental studies

“…The real cost is actually much greater as the financial impact of pregnancy loss for any reason will depend on the potential worth of the lost offspring which will vary with the racing history of the parents and their perceived genetic worth. The disastrous effects of widespread disease in horses were apparent during the Australian outbreak of Equine Influenza (EI) in 2006 where racing and breeding were halted for an extended period of time (Smyth et al, 2011). The economic impact was felt from milliners to trainers to vets to publicans; all reliant in some way to the continued circle of horse breeding, training, and racing.…”

“…The economic impact was felt from milliners to trainers to vets to publicans; all reliant in some way to the continued circle of horse breeding, training, and racing. The total financial losses by industry alone related to EI was an estimated $381 million, despite a very low mortality rate (Smyth et al, 2011) Disease investigations in the horse industry are directly proportional to the worth of the animal, involvement of insurance companies, and/or zoonotic potential. The latter is evident with the resources directed to Hendra virus research and control (Broder et al, 2013; Degeling and Kerridge, 2013).…”