Course overview
Veterinary Public Health has been defined by Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations, World Health Organisation/ World Organisation for Animal Health as "the sum of all contributions to the physical, mental and social well-being of humans through an understanding and application of veterinary science". Veterinary Public Health thus embraces the following areas of knowledge: diagnosis, surveillance, epidemiology, control, prevention and elimination of zoonoses and of diseases that threaten food security and social cohesion; protection of food (including meat and milk) for human consumption; food and meat science; environmental protection; animal welfare standards; and the social, behavioural and mental aspects of human-animal relationships.
Veterinary Biosecurity is intrinsically linked to Veterinary Public Health and covers specific aspects on disease prevention, disease surveillance at the national, regional, state and enterprise (farm) level.
In order to understand food production including welfare and food safety issues, students will attend field trips to abattoirs.
Course learning outcomes
- Describe zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases of veterinary public health significance
- Understand and participate in contagious diseases management, including disease prevention and control programmes
- Define and detect suspicious signs of notifiable/emerging/re-emerging and transboundary diseases
- Explain conditions and measures to ensure the safety and suitability of food of animal origin including appropriate use of veterinary products to e.g. reduce antimicrobial resistance
- Knowledge of national/state veterinary bodies, biosecurity procedures and protocols and legislation and provide leadership on ethical considerations involved in the use and care of animals by humans
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