Respiratory illness in a piggery associated with the first identified outbreak of swine influenza in Australia: Assessing the risk to human health and zoonotic potential

D.W. Smith; I.G. Barr; R. Loh; A. Levy; S. Tempone; M. O'Dea; J. Watson; F.Y.K. Wong; P.V. Effler

doi:10.3390/tropicalmed4020096

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Respiratory illness in a piggery associated with the first identified outbreak of swine influenza in Australia: Assessing the risk to human health and zoonotic potential

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Respiratory illness in a piggery associated with the first identified outbreak of swine influenza in Australia: Assessing the risk to human health and zoonotic potential

D.W. Smith, I.G. Barr, R. Loh, A. Levy, S. Tempone, M. O'Dea, J. Watson, F.Y.K. Wong and P.V. Effler

Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Vol.4(2)

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed4020096

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Abstract

Australia was previously believed to be free of enzootic swine influenza viruses due strict quarantine practices and use of biosecure breeding facilities. The first proven Australian outbreak of swine influenza occurred in Western Australian in 2012, revealing an unrecognized zoonotic risk, and a potential future pandemic threat. A public health investigation was undertaken to determine whether zoonotic infections had occurred and to reduce the risk of further transmission between humans and swine. A program of monitoring, testing, treatment, and vaccination was commenced, and a serosurvey of workers was also undertaken. No acute infections with the swine influenza viruses were detected. Serosurvey results were difficult to interpret due to previous influenza infections and past and current vaccinations. However, several workers had elevated haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody levels to the swine influenza viruses that could not be attributed to vaccination or infection with contemporaneous seasonal influenza A viruses. However, we lacked a suitable control population, so this was inconclusive. The experience was valuable in developing better protocols for managing outbreaks at the human–animal interface. Strict adherence to biosecurity practices, and ongoing monitoring of swine and their human contacts is important to mitigate pandemic risk. Strain specific serological assays would greatly assist in identifying zoonotic transmission.

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Title: Respiratory illness in a piggery associated with the first identified outbreak of swine influenza in Australia: Assessing the risk to human health and zoonotic potential
Authors/Creators: D.W. Smith (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
I.G. Barr (Author/Creator) - Peter Doherty Institute
R. Loh (Author/Creator) - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
A. Levy (Author/Creator) - Pathwest Laboratory Medicine
S. Tempone (Author/Creator) - Government of Western Australia Department of Health
M. O'Dea (Author/Creator)
J. Watson (Author/Creator) - Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness
F.Y.K. Wong (Author/Creator) - Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness
P.V. Effler (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
Publication Details: Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Vol.4(2)
Publisher: MDPI
Identifiers: 991005543155907891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.104 Virology - General; 1.104.126 Influenza
Web Of Science research areas: Infectious Diseases; Parasitology; Tropical Medicine
ESI research areas: Clinical Medicine