SBIK10151U Parasitic Zoonoses

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Parasitology - compulsory
MSc Programme in Animal Science - semi-compulsory
Content
Parasitic zoonoses include parasitic infections whose life cycle involves vertebrate hosts and humans. Humans may become infected incidentally or as a necessary part of the natural life cycle. Through lectures, group works, demonstrations and practicals the students are introduced to the concept of parasitic zoonotic infections and how their transmission has changed over the past decades and the discovery of new organisms transmitted from animals to humans. Although, most students know that bacterial and viral infections can be transmitted from animals, parasitic zoonoses attract only minor attention. The course will focus on epidemiology, socio-economical importance prevention and control in both humans and animals. Aspects of diagnosis will also be addressed and introduced in practicals. The students will analyse a range of factors influencing the transmission of parasites and how the conditions for their transmission have changed with e.g. increasing populations of humans and urban wildlife, human behavioural changes and production of free-ranging animals.
The course will not only focus on the major impact of parasitic zoonoses in the developing world, but also on the increasing awareness in western societies (with new borders of the EU, increased travel activity, immigrants etc). The relationship between economy and health, control, and legislation under various socio-economic settings is discussed.
Two visits to institutions working with zoonotic parasites are included.
Learning Outcome
To introduce student to the concept of parasitic zoonoses, epidemiology, including transmission patterns and relative risks, diagnosis, pathological consequences, as well as prevention and control. Focus will be on livestock production, human health and socio-economical importance.

Knowledge:
Describe the most important groups of zoonotic parasites and the general structure of their transmission, epidemiology and control.
Define principles of disease impact estimation of zoonotic parasites on animals and man.
Define geographical variable impact of diseases caused by zoonotic parasites, and the identification of risk factors.
Be capable of evaluating studies on zoonotic parasitic diseases from different regions of the world.
Describe the basic principles of disease prevention of veterinary and human parasitic diseases.
Understand the multi-factorial aspects of zoonoses control including cost, cultural, religious and dietary habits.

Skills:
Perform overall analysis of transmission and risk factors of certain parasitic zoonoses.
Analyse cost-benefit relations in disease control in less favoured regions of the world.
Integrate knowledge on transmission and risk factors in writing as well as when presenting orally.

Competences:
Search for relevant literature, perform scientific writing, perform oral presentations of reports and research results, collaborate with fellow students in group work on topics related to parasitic zoonoses.
Literature
Foundations of Parasitology, L.S. Roberts and J. Janovy Jr., 7th edition.
Handouts will extensively supplement the textbook.
Other relevant books:
Shakespeare M. Zoonoses. 2002. Zoonoses. Pharmaceutical Press, UK.
Miyazaki I. 1991. Helminthic Zoonoses. International Medical Foundation of Japan.
The course will include lectures, group work with presentations and practical exercises on different zoonotic parasites (food and water-borne, vector-borne and surface contaminating). The course includes excursions to institutions working on relevant issues within the area. Through the selected group work the students will be able to get an in-depth knowledge on one subject. The practical exercises aim at providing the students with practical experience with selected parasites.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 2
  • Excursions
  • 8
  • Lectures
  • 30
  • Preparation
  • 40
  • Project work
  • 112
  • Theory exercises
  • 14
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Oral examination
Groups of students select a subject on which they prepare a 5-page report where the author of the individual section(s) is clearly stated. The report will be assessed and accounts for 33% of the final individual score. Individual oral examination in the selected topic and from the text book accounts 67% of the final score.

Weight: Report 33% Oral examination 67%
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner
Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student shall be able to:

Describe the most important groups of zoonotic parasites and the general structure of their transmission, epidemiology and control.

Define principles of disease impact estimation of zoonotic parasites on animals and man.

Define geographical variable impact of diseases caused by zoonotic parasites, and the identification of risk factors.

Be capable of evaluating studies on zoonotic parasitic diseases from different regions of the world.

Describe the basic principles of disease prevention of veterinary and human parasitic diseases.

Understand the multi-factorial aspects of zoonoses control including cost, cultural, religious and dietary habits.