Table 1 Explanatory variables analysed for associations with the perception of perceived vulnerability to a future equine influenza outbreak based on a study of 200 horse owners and managers, conducted in 2009 in NSW, Australia

Manager demographics and premises descriptors

Age^a; Gender^b; Number of horses^c; Involved in horse competition/sporting events^d; Involved in horse racing; Involved in equestrian events^e; Involved in rodeo-style horse events^f; Horse breeders; Horse agistment or spelling facility^g; Horses kept only for recreation; Horses used for farm work. Premises enterprise type^b; Income derived from horses^a; Regional cluster^b.

Sources of infection control information during the outbreak

Internet; General media (television, newspaper, radio); Other horse owners; Veterinarians; Other horse professionals (farriers, dentists, chiropractors, trainers, coaches); Australian Horse Industry Council; State Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI); Association/society (breed, sporting^d); Horse equipment or feed retailer.

Equine influenza outbreak experience and perceptions

Premises infected during the 2007 outbreak; Suspected transmission route^b; Outbreak control zone^b; Perceived stringency of own outbreak biosecurity measures^a; Perceived level of own outbreak stringency compared to horse owners in the neighbourhood^a; Perceived level of preparedness for a future equine influenza outbreak^a. General interest in infection control information^a; Perceived likelihood of a future equine influenza outbreak in Australia in the next five years^a; Perceived likelihood of a future other exotic equine disease outbreak in Australia in the next five years^a.