Please find information from Biosecurity Qld’s about a DAFF survey, Hendra events and related media. Please click on the survey link below and have your say – It would be nice to have informed comment from those of us who deal with flying-foxes every day with our volunteer work. It is also on Facebook and Twitter. Q Health recently did their own survey on flying-foxes. It seems flying-foxes are a hot topic and public opinion is valuable so please do the survey.
News release | 28 August, 2012
Queenslanders are invited to share their thoughts and views on flying foxes in a new survey.
Biosecurity Queensland researcher Dr Hume Field 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," Dr 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."
Dr 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," Dr Field 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.
"This is the third and last in a series of surveys designed to collect and analyse stakeholder opinions and attitudes on Hendra virus and flying foxes.
"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 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 12 October 2012.
Sent: Tuesday, 28 August 2012
Subject: HeV Research Update - Public invited to have a say in flying fox survey (online survey and media release)
The Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases (QCEID) is inviting Queenslanders to share their thoughts and views on flying foxes in a new online survey.
Short intro and link to survey via Facebook
Survey via http://www.research.net/s/Community_Survey_on_Flying-foxes
Media release via http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/30_434.htm
This research is supported by the Queensland Government, the New South Wales Government and the Australian Government under the National Hendra Virus Research Program.
P.s Still no further HeV incidents since Cairns on 27 July 2012.
Other recent QCEID announcements:
Profiles of HeV spill over properties
Media release (17/8/2012) via http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/30_434.htm
HeV profiling fact sheet via http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/4791_22025.htm
2012 Qld summary
· Qld Incidents = 6
· Qld Horses = 8
· Qld Dogs etc = none to date
· Qld Humans = none to date
2012 NSW summary
None to date
HeV 2012 Incident summary (in order index diagnosis confirmed)
1st Qld incident - Townsville - one horse - diagnosed 4 Jan 2012
2nd Qld Incident - Rockhampton - one horse - died 25 May 2012
3rd Qld incident - Ingham - one horse - died 28 May 2012
4th Qld Incident - Mackay - one horse - euthanased 26 June 2012
5th Qld Incident - Rockhampton - Index foal - diagnosed 18 July 2012, two companion horses euthanased (announced 27 July 2012)
6th Qld Incident - Cairns - index horse - died 27 July 2012
Queensland Media Releases
All Biosecurity Queensland media releases via http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/30_434.htm
Al Queensland Health media releases via http://www.health.qld.gov.au/news/mediareleases.asp
All Queensland Cabinet media releases at http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/mms/
Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP, ex-DERM) media releases at http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/media-room/index.php
Subscribe to the Qld Hendra information pack at http://www.vision6.com.au/em/forms/subscribe.php?db=313896&s=61966&a=10433&k=e122ccd
Biosecurity Queensland Hendra information at http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/4790_2900.htm includes:
· Frequently asked questions about dogs and Hendra virus http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/4790_20741.htm
· Technical info and advice for veterinarians - incl. Guidelines for veterinarians handling potential Hendra virus infection in horses
· Links to relevant Queensland Health and Work Place Health and Safety web pages
Queensland Health - Hendra Virus Guidelines for Public Health Units
Want to know how Qld Health approach Hendra incidents? See http://www.health.qld.gov.au/cdcg/index/hendra.asp
Dept Environment and Heritage Protection - Living with Flying foxes - PDFs via http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/wildlife-ecosystems/wildlife/living_with_wildlife/flyingfoxes/living-with-flying-foxes.html
NSW Biosecurity media releases available via http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/recent-news/agriculture-news-releases
NSW updates available via http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horses/health/general/hendra-virus
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Animal Biosecurity and Welfare
Biosecurity Queensland
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF Queensland)
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