URGENT !!
Due to the number of Hendra virus incidents in recent years, some communities have become more aware of the presence of flying foxes and the viruses that can be carried by these animals.
In areas where dispersal of flying foxes has either been proposed or has occurred, there has also been some concern about possible increased virus excretion from flying foxes as a result of dispersal.
Complete the online survey
Most questions are multiple choice, and you can also add additional comments if you want to. It will take you less than 10 minutes to complete the survey.
The survey is the third and final survey designed to target separate stakeholders involved and affected by Hendra virus in Queensland. The survey is conducted by the Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, a division of Biosecurity Queensland, in conjunction with the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.
The survey closes on 12 October 2012.
Queenslanders are invited to share their thoughts and views on flying foxes--the type of Australian fruit bat that transmits the deadly hendra virus to horses--in a new survey.
Biosecurity Queensland researcher Hume Field, BVSc, MSc, PhD, MACVS, said the community survey on flying foxes was now available online or by mail upon request.
"We are particularly interested in people's attitudes to flying foxes and their understanding of the risk factors for hendra virus," Field said. "The survey also asks questions about attitudes to the dispersal of flying fox colonies in local communities.
"The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete and all responses will be treated confidentially. I would strongly encourage people to take part, especially if they live in a community where flying foxes are regarded as problematic."
Field said responses would be used to identify knowledge gaps and inform the direction of future communication programs run by government agencies.
"Education is one of the most important tools in our arsenal against Hendra virus," he said. "While many people have taken an active role in educating themselves about the risks factors for hendra virus, there is still a lot of misinformation surrounding the issue."
Hendra virus has been known to yield numerous clinical signs in horses including respiratory distress, frothy nasal discharge, elevated body temperature (above 40°C, or 104°F), and elevated heart rate; however, authorities caution that hendra infection does not have specific signs.
The Australian Veterinary Association suggested that horse owners can reduce the risks of hendra virus in their horses by fencing off trees attractive to flying foxes, covering horse feed and water containers, and not feeding horses food that could appeal to flying foxes, such as fruit and vegetables.
"This is the third and last in a series of surveys designed to collect and analyze stakeholder opinions and attitudes on hendra virus and flying foxes," he continued. "The first survey focused on horse owners while the second survey was designed to determine attitudes of vets."
The community survey on flying foxes is jointly conducted by the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, and the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.
This research is supported by the Queensland Government, the New South Wales Government and the Australian Government under the National Hendra Virus Research Program.
Take part in the online survey. The survey closes on Oct. 12, 2012.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/south/calls-for-queensland-government-to-relocate-problem-bat-colonies/story-fn8m0tyy-1226464595504
Please do the survey, it is being pumped out to as many negative avenues as possible – we are seeing more calls for removal of urban colonies in Greater Brisbane so please if you have not done it please do.
- http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/4790_22042.htm
- http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=20578&src=topic
Community survey on flying foxes
Biosecurity Queensland is calling on members of the general public to participate in an online survey about flying foxes. The survey aims to gain a better understanding of public opinions, attitudes and knowledge of flying foxes and possible flying fox management options.Due to the number of Hendra virus incidents in recent years, some communities have become more aware of the presence of flying foxes and the viruses that can be carried by these animals.
In areas where dispersal of flying foxes has either been proposed or has occurred, there has also been some concern about possible increased virus excretion from flying foxes as a result of dispersal.
Complete the online survey
Most questions are multiple choice, and you can also add additional comments if you want to. It will take you less than 10 minutes to complete the survey.
The survey is the third and final survey designed to target separate stakeholders involved and affected by Hendra virus in Queensland. The survey is conducted by the Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, a division of Biosecurity Queensland, in conjunction with the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.
The survey closes on 12 October 2012.
Queenslanders are invited to share their thoughts and views on flying foxes--the type of Australian fruit bat that transmits the deadly hendra virus to horses--in a new survey.
Biosecurity Queensland researcher Hume Field, BVSc, MSc, PhD, MACVS, said the community survey on flying foxes was now available online or by mail upon request.
"We are particularly interested in people's attitudes to flying foxes and their understanding of the risk factors for hendra virus," Field said. "The survey also asks questions about attitudes to the dispersal of flying fox colonies in local communities.
"The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete and all responses will be treated confidentially. I would strongly encourage people to take part, especially if they live in a community where flying foxes are regarded as problematic."
Field said responses would be used to identify knowledge gaps and inform the direction of future communication programs run by government agencies.
"Education is one of the most important tools in our arsenal against Hendra virus," he said. "While many people have taken an active role in educating themselves about the risks factors for hendra virus, there is still a lot of misinformation surrounding the issue."
Hendra virus has been known to yield numerous clinical signs in horses including respiratory distress, frothy nasal discharge, elevated body temperature (above 40°C, or 104°F), and elevated heart rate; however, authorities caution that hendra infection does not have specific signs.
The Australian Veterinary Association suggested that horse owners can reduce the risks of hendra virus in their horses by fencing off trees attractive to flying foxes, covering horse feed and water containers, and not feeding horses food that could appeal to flying foxes, such as fruit and vegetables.
"This is the third and last in a series of surveys designed to collect and analyze stakeholder opinions and attitudes on hendra virus and flying foxes," he continued. "The first survey focused on horse owners while the second survey was designed to determine attitudes of vets."
The community survey on flying foxes is jointly conducted by the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, and the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.
This research is supported by the Queensland Government, the New South Wales Government and the Australian Government under the National Hendra Virus Research Program.
Take part in the online survey. The survey closes on Oct. 12, 2012.
Please do the survey, it is being pumped out to as many negative avenues as possible – we are seeing more calls for removal of urban colonies in Greater Brisbane so please if you have not done it please do.
