Australian University to research how humans spread horse flu

The widespread outbreak of horse flu in Queensland has spurred scientists at the University of the Sunshine Coast to launch a study into how humans help spread the equine influenza virus.

Immunologist Dr Fiona Burnell is leading a team of USC biomedical scientists on a research project that could help better contain future outbreaks of the disease, not only in Australia but around the world.

It also will assess whether exposure to the virus affects people’s health.

Dr Burnell’s team, which includes biochemist Dr Mark Holmes, epidemiologist Dr Anne Neller and public health expert Professor John Lowe, is working with scientists at the University of Iowa in the United States on the project.

Their two-year study will involve 600 people with variable levels of exposure to horses to assess whether they have previously had zoonotic influenza infections (those transferable between animals and humans).

Dr Burnell said the study would analyse risk factors, including hygiene practices, of humans in spreading the virus which has affected horses from more than 1000 properties across Queensland since early August.

“This is the first time the horse flu has appeared in Australia, but it is common in other countries,” she said. “Humans can carry it for up to three days in their respiratory tract but it has never been shown to cause illnesses in humans.”

The scientists will assess 400 people with occupational and/or recreational exposure to horses, like horse trainers, attendants, handlers, veterinarians and hobby riders.

Half of these people will have had contact with horses known to have had the virus during the current epidemic in Queensland and the other half will have had contact with horses thought not to have been infected.

The study also will include a further 200 people who have no contact with horses.

The USC team attended a DPI horse flu presentation on Saturday 13 October at the Maroochy Showground at Nambour to seek participants for the study.

Participants are required to complete questionnaires and provide four blood samples over a two-year period.