Free Online Zoonotic Disease Continuing Education Course Available

April 13, 2021 — 

Zoonotic diseases are an important health risk and concern for rural communities, and can have profound impacts on human health, animal health, food safety, public health, and producer livelihood.

This free course overviews the occurrence and impact of zoonotic diseases of agricultural animals - cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, equids and poultry - with an emphasis on prevention measures to reduce health risks for people and animals. The course also includes communication tips to promote zoonotic disease prevention strategies and veterinary practices in rural communities.

The Center for Food Security and Public Health (CFSPH) at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine is offering a web-based course, Zoonoses: Protecting People and Animal in Rural Communities, May 5-26, 2021. Registration before May 5 is required.

The course is free, and open to any animal health, human health, or public health professional or student, or individual interested in the prevention of zoonotic diseases. To find out more and to register, visit https://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/product/zoonoses-course-rural/.

The course has been approved by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE®) for 5 hours of continuing education (non-interactive on-line; veterinarians or veterinary technicians).

Dr. Glenda Dvorak, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, course instructor, Assistant Director, CFSPH, explains, "Simple prevention measures and changes in behavior can be protective against a variety of zoonoses. Promoting the daily use of these basic prevention practices is the first step to minimizing zoonoses in rural communities."