Industry liaison officers in the infected states of Australia during the 2007 equine influenza outbreak.

We describe the activities of persons who were formally employed as industry liaison officers (ILOs) in the infected states of Australia during the 2007 equine influenza outbreak. The knowledge and communication skills of ILOs allowed them to function very effectively, despite most of them having received no prior training. It is arguable, however, that if ILOs had received prior training, they would have performed more effectively sooner. We suggest that more individuals need ILO training in 'peacetime' and that 'just-in-time' training packages require preparation and trial prior to outbreaks to be effective.