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Smith DW, Barr IG, Loh R, Levy A, Tempone S, O'Dea M, Watson J, Wong FYK, Effler PV. 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. Trop Med Infect Dis 2019; 4:tropicalmed4020096. [PMID: 31242646 PMCID: PMC6632059 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed4020096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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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Affiliation(s)
- David W Smith
- Department of Microbiology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Ian G Barr
- World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
| | - Richmond Loh
- Sustainability and Biosecurity, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Perth, WA 6151, Australia.
| | - Avram Levy
- Department of Microbiology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Simone Tempone
- Communicable Disease Control Directorate, Department of Health Western Australia, Perth, WA 6004, Australia.
| | - Mark O'Dea
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia.
| | - James Watson
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, VIC 3219, Australia.
| | - Frank Y K Wong
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, VIC 3219, Australia.
| | - Paul V Effler
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.
- Communicable Disease Control Directorate, Department of Health Western Australia, Perth, WA 6004, Australia.
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