Vectorborne & Wildlife Reservoir Disease (VETS90088)

This subject focuses on vector-borne and wildlife reservoir emergency diseases.

Many emergency animal diseases in the recent past have a complex epidemiology, either involving insect vectors and/or or wildlife reservoirs. Many of these outbreaks were initially new or emerging, and in some cases were zoonotic. Accordingly, they posed challenges to control and eradication not encountered with simpler vesicular disease epidemics. Examples include West Nile Fever (WNF), Bluetongue virus (BTV), African Horse Sickness (AHS), and infection with the henipaviruses, Hendra and Nipah.

This subject will use online lecture notes and study materials to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the course of several historical vector-borne and wildlife epidemics of farm animals, including the practical control and eradication challenges presented by them. Accordingly, it will deepen the understanding gained from VETS90083 Selection and Interpretation of Lab Tests and VETS90086 Epidemiology of Epidemics, and expand on the understanding from VETS90087 Transboundary Animal Diseases.