Veterinary Public Health

Course Director: Dr. Rohini R. Roopnarine, DVM, M.Phil, EdD (Higher Ed.), MRCVS Professor,
Email Address: rroopnarine@sgu.edu Office Location: Online
Office Hours: On Zoom (optional): To be determined with Class Coordinators.

Course Director: Dr. Josephine Azikuru Afema, BVM, MPVM, PhD, DACVPM Associate Professor,
Office Location: Online
Email address: jazikuru@sgu.edu
Office hours: On Zoom (optional):To be determined with Class Coordinators.

Online location- Sakai tools being used: Announcement, Resources, Syllabus, Lessons, Discussion (previously Forums), Tests and Quizzes, Panopto, Zoom and email.

Functional computer headphones, microphone and camera. Students must activate the Panopto tool within Sakai to access the recordings, and also ensure they activate the zoom tool within Sakai.

• Veterinary Public Health class notes and PowerPoints.
• Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control, 2016. National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV).

• Web resources: www.fsis.usda.gov; http://www.cdc.gov, http://www.oie.int, http://www.usda.gov, https://www.avma.org, https://www.fda.gov/home

1. Students with disabilities who need accommodations should contact Student Accessibility and Accommodations Services (SAAS), located in the Dean of Students Office.
2. Information can be found at mycampus.sgu.edu/group/saas

Good internet capabilities and speed, headphones, Zoom.

This course is designed to provide students with the required background knowledge to the One Health approach that will equip them in their role as veterinarians in protecting the public health. Food-borne illness derived from meats of animal origin impacting the global environment, uniquely positions veterinarians as guardians of animal and human health. The course also equips students to be familiar with emerging zoonoses across diverse socio-cultural contexts as it pertains to disease prevention and control. Veterinarians are responsible for educating the public and assisting the relevant public health authorities in implementing prevention and control measures regarding diseases of animal origin that impact human health, as an example, the COVID-19 pandemic. The course covers the veterinarians’ role in regulatory medicine regarding inspection of animals for food for human consumption and deals with important zoonoses currently encountered in the global environment, as an example, SARS- CoV-2 (agent of COVID-19) and Ebola Virus Disease. Students are expected to acquire an understanding of the roles of various regulatory agencies such as the USDA, FDA, CDC, OIE and the veterinarians’ reporting responsibilities to these agencies.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to…

1. Identify the requirements of US and international agencies such as the OIE, as they relate to the veterinarian’s role in reporting notifiable diseases such as COVID-19.
2. Apply the One Health Concept to the professional responsibilities of the veterinarian in promoting human, animal and environmental health.
3. Apply their knowledge as a veterinarian in working with public health officials in the prevention and control of zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19, Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and food-borne diseases of animal origin.
4. Identify the main U.S. Federal agencies involved in Public health administration.

Food Safety Organization of the U.S. Meat and Poultry Inspection program

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Determine the relevant U.S. agencies involved in the U.S. Meat and Poultry Inspection program.
• Define the key terms that will be utilized throughout the Veterinary Public health course.

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

Assess the key principles of HACCP as it pertains to preserving the safety of foods of animal origin with inclusion of the recent impact of COVID-19 on the Meat industry.

Ante-Mortem Inspection and Disposition

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Apply the four principles used by USDA FSIS Public health veterinarians (PHV’s) in making a decision at ante-mortem inspection on animals destined for slaughter for human consumption.
• Determine the disposition for various diseases identifiable in animal at ante-mortem inspection.

Humane Slaughter

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Apply the requirements of the Humane Slaughter Act (1978).
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the approved methods of stunning.
• Determine if a humane slaughter violation has occurred due to improper stunning.

Post-Mortem Inspection and Disposition

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Apply the five principles used by USDA’s Public Health Veterinarians (PHV’s) in making a decision at post-mortem inspection on animals for slaughter for human consumption.
• Determine the disposition for various diseases identifiable in animal at post-mortem inspection.

Poultry Slaughter

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

Determine the disposition for common diseases detected in poultry at post-mortem inspection.

Meat Products for Human Consumption and Condemned Products

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Differentiate between restricted from condemned products as it pertains to tissues allowed for human consumption.
• Identify the disease conditions associated with specific restricted product treatments.

Labeling and Composition of Pet Food

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Identify the types of products allowed in pet foods.
• Identify the agency involved in regulation of pet food composition.

The FDA and Residues

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Identify the drugs prohibited for extra label drug use in food animals.
• Identify the relevant agency involved in the regulations governing use of residues in food animals.

Zoonoses

Defining Zoonoses

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Define the term Zoonoses to include important Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs).
• Determine the role of the Veterinary surgeon in Prevention and Control.
• Differentiate the agent, transmission, disease, control and prevention of specific Zoonoses.
• Evaluate the role of the veterinarian in detection and reporting of zoonoses.

Tuberculosis:

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Recognize the importance of bovine tuberculosis in animals and humans.
• Apply the principles of the US Federal – State eradication program.
• Evaluate the role of the veterinarian in prevention, detection, and reporting of

Mycobacterium bovis.

• Assess risks of M. tuberculosis in captive elephants and keeping staff and implement preventive measures.

Brucellosis:

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Explain how zoonotic Brucella species are maintained and transmitted.
• Apply the principles of the US Federal – State brucellosis eradication programs.
• Evaluate the role of the veterinarian in prevention, detection, and reporting of brucellosis.

Leptospirosis:

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Explain how the different Leptospira species or serovars are maintained and transmitted.
• Apply knowledge of the maintenance and transmission of leptospirosis to control and prevent infections in animals.
• Assess risks of leptospirosis and communicate preventive measures to clients, veterinary staff and the public.

Coxiella Burnetii (agent of Q fever):

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Evaluate role of the veterinarian in detecting, reporting and preventing C. burnetii

infections in animals.

• Evaluate role of the veterinarian in educating clients, occupational risk groups, and the public about preventive measures.
• Design and evaluate control programs for animals and humans working in research facilities with small ruminants.

Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis e.g. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Describe how zoonotic Rickettsia species are maintained in nature & transmitted.
• Recognize role of veterinarian in detecting, preventing & controlling disease in animals, and educating clients and the public about preventive measures.

Taeniasis-Cysticercosis

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Describe how Taenia species are maintained & transmitted.
• Apply one health principles to prevent/control infections in animals, and to educate farmers and the public about preventive measures.

Visceral Larval Migrans

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Describe how the agents that cause larva migrants (Baylisascaris, Toxocara and Ancylostoma) are maintained & transmitted.
• Recognize the role of the veterinarian in detecting & preventing agents in animals.
• Apply knowledge of the maintenance and transmission to educate pet owners and the public on prevention and control.

Immunocompromised People and Pets

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Recognize zoonotic agents of concern to immunocompromised pet owners.
• Apply knowledge of maintenance and transmission to educate immunocompromised pet owners to prevent zoonotic diseases & own pets safely.
• Determine their role as veterinarians in advising owners on acquiring suitable pet.

Lyme disease and Ehrlichiosis

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Evaluate the role of the veterinarian in public health education on prevention of vector borne diseases.
• Create a diagnostic and prevention/control plan for animals and humans at risk of exposure to vector-borne agents.

Rabies

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Determine when to consider rabies as a differential on your diagnostic list for a case
• Determine the appropriate recommendations for managing an animal exposed to rabies
• Determine the appropriate recommendations for managing an animal that has bitten a human
• Describe the Veterinarian’s role in rabies prevention and control in animals and humans

Emerging Zoonoses

Factors of Emergence

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Define the factors that contribute to the emergence of zoonoses.
• Demonstrate an awareness of their veterinary responsibilities in education of and protection of the public health on emerging zoonoses prevention.

Influenza Viruses and Human Health

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Identify the factors that influence the epidemiology of influenza subtypes involved in global outbreaks of public health importance.
• Evaluate role of veterinarian in preparedness, detection, reporting, & responding to important subtypes.
• Assess the veterinarian’s role in public health education regarding influenza subtypes of public health importance.

Zoonotic Equine Arboviruses:

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Describe how these agents are maintained and transmitted.
• Execute your responsibilities as a veterinarian in surveillance, reporting, and preventing these viruses.
• Execute your role as a veterinarian in public health education regarding prevention/control.

Zoonotic Coronaviruses

SARS-CoV-2 (agent of COVID-19), SARS, MERS

At the completion of this lecture the student will be able to:

• Apply knowledge about the transmission and prevention of zoonotic coronaviruses of global health importance to veterinary practice.
• Execute your role as a Veterinarian in public health education regarding Prevention/control of zoonoses.

Ebolavirus

• Explain why Ebolavirus disease is reemerging and the public health implications.
• Describe how Ebolavirus is maintained in nature and transmitted to humans.
• Develop Ebola prevention, preparedness, and response plan based on lessons learned from the 2014 – 2016 Ebola outbreak.

Assessment 1: Midterm: This will be an examsoft assessment worth 20 points.

VPH final: This assessment will be conducted in the form of an Examsoft assessment. There will be 12 questions from Dr. Roopnarine’s sections on Rabies and Zoonotic coronaviruses and 28 questions from Dr. Afema’s lectures on Zoonoses and Emerging Zoonoses.

The grading scale below will be used to calculate the final course grade Grade Scale

Types of Assessments:

Students must complete all assessments for this course, in order to obtain a final grade. Students are expected to be able to recall and apply the concepts of virology, immunology, parasitology and bacteriology relevant to veterinary public health that were taught during the previous terms. Students are responsible for reviewing those notes if needed. Students are expected to make use of the recommended books and weblinks uploaded on the SAKAI network if needed. Both assessments, the VPH midterm and VPH Final will be conducted as an Examsoft assessments. Top Hat may be employed by Dr. Roopnarine, if the pilot is approved for continuation. More on this once we are informed by the Administration.

A grade reduction of 5-10 % will be applied to that exam if students do not observe the following parameters during exams monitored online:

1. Avoid talking out loud.
2. Avoid looking away from the monitor.
3. Avoid having distractions (animals, people) in or walking through the room or making noise during the exam.
4. Check that your webcam is recording your full face at all times with adequate lighting.

Active participation in the course is recommended to enable applicability of core concepts to veterinary practice. Importantly, students should apply good time management skills, particularly crucial in the online environment, to ensure they meet the course requirements.

Students are expected to adhere to the Professionalism Policy of the University (Student manual), and at all times demonstrate respect not only towards SGU faculty and staff, but also towards their fellow students and the general public. Students are also expected to read the required materials and to complete the mandatory assessments in a timely fashion.

General Expectations

• Remain professional, respectful and courteous at all times
• Keep posts on-topic and professional. Please refrain from discussions of religion, politics, etc.
• Remember that a real person wrote each post and will read what you write as well. It is easy to misinterpret online conversation. Give the benefit of the doubt. If you become upset, wait a day or two and cool down before posting.
• Proofread prior to submitting a post.
• Remember that discussion forums and social posts are visible by the entire class. Use e-mail for any private comments to the instructor. Inappropriate posts will be removed.

Contacting the Faculty

• Please feel free to email the faculty at any time.
• The faculty will generally respond to email within 24 hours. If you do not hear from us within 24 - 48 hours, feel free to follow up.
• The faculty is willing to schedule an online meeting via ZOOM as required.

The policy relating to SGU's Student Policies, Procedures and Non-Academic Standards is detailed in the SGU student manual 2019-2020, https://www.sgu.edu/studentmanual/school-of- veterinary-medicine/. Students are expected to be polite in responding to peers and faculty via email or through the other online communication tools. It is essential that if a student is unable to complete a mandatory assessment due to illness or other emergency, that they inform the course directors in a timely fashion. Please refer to XVII below.

The policy relating to class attendance is detailed in the SGU student manual https://www.sgu.edu/studentmanual/school-of-veterinary-medicine/. Students are expected to be available during the standard 8:30—5:30pm AST school day, to virtually attend, engage with online content, and participate in all classes and clinical rotations for which they have registered. Employment is not an excusable absence. Although attendance, engagement, and participation may not be recorded at every academic activity, attendance, engagement, and participation is graded for mandatory sessions. Students’ lack of attendance, engagement, and participation may adversely affect their academic status as specified in the grading policy.

The course will be conducted fully online this term. The lectures will be recorded asynchronously and stored within Panopto. They are scheduled to occur between 4:30- 5:30 pm and thus students are expected to view all of the lectures.

If failure to attend, engage, or participate in individual classes, examinations, and online activities, or from the University itself is anticipated, or occurs spontaneously due to illness or other extenuating circumstances, proper notification procedures must be followed.

It is mandatory that students check the following communications from the Course Instructor:

Announcements

The lesson plan for the week will be announced to the class. (Instructor – class). There will be reminders about deadlines and mandatory requirements to engage with the course.

Email

1. Normal email communications. Replies to student inquiries. (Instructor-to-individual)
2. Email to the class representative to determine the need for a zoom session depending on questions students may have on the weekly lessons.

ZOOM sessions - ZOOM will be used for Office Hours – These will be optional. Attendance at office hours that will be provided via zoom are NOT mandatory. However, for students participating, they will be required to submit any questions they may have at least 48 hours PRIOR to the zoom session.

Lecture sessions will be recorded asynchronously using Panopto. Students are expected to review all lecture content provided as lecture recordings, PowerPoints, assigned readings and lecture notes.

Students who fail to appear for an examination without a valid reason (see student manual: Students who fail to attend an examination or submit an assignment by the deadline without a valid reason (see student manual: SGUSVM POLICY ON AN EXCUSED ABSENCE (EA) FOR STUDENTS) will receive a score of “0” points for the examination.

Students who have technical issues during the examination MUST inform the Course Director jazikuru@sgu.edu and rroopnarine@sgu.edu and IT (tellexaminationservices@sgu.edu OR support@sgu.edu OR call 1-631-665-8500 ext. 4444 (US, NU, International) OR 1-473-439- 2000 ext. 4444 (Grenada), AND Dean of Students (DOS@sgu.edu OR call **********) during the open period for the examination. Failure to do so immediately will result in the student receiving a score of “0” points for the examination.

Scheduling of examinations (regular, re-sit, completion, comprehensive, or exemption) is at the discretion of the School.

All students are responsible for knowing and complying with the University’s Code of Conduct and the guidelines. Students must read and then sign the Honor Code statement at the start of examinations to indicate that they will comply with the University Code of Conduct.

Prior to Exam Day

1. Each student is required to have a laptop for the purpose of taking computer- based examinations (e-Exams) at SGU. Students must ensure that their laptops meet the current minimum system requirements prior to exam day:
2. Examinees must use their MY SGU Member Center username and password to access the Custom Home Page (www.examsoft.com/sgu) created by ExamSoft for the University.
3. Examinees are responsible for downloading and registering the latest version of Examplify on their laptop prior to exam day. Once Examplify has been successfully downloaded, examinees are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the software by downloading and taking practice exams.
4. Examinees are responsible for setting their laptop up for Exam Monitor prior to the exam (see links below).
5. Examinees will be notified via MyCourses, of all exam related information. Email notifications will also be sent from ExamSoft Support to examinees, notifying them of examinations available for downloading.
6. Examinees experiencing difficulties with their laptop are encouraged to visit the IT department for assistance prior to exam day. Examinees needing a laptop must visit the Office of Institutional Advancement (OIA) to request an exam loaner.
7. Examinees should visit the following information to familiarize themselves with the online proctored exam format and set up their baseline photo.
   1. An Examsoft/ExamID quick guide for students (Please note that the current Examplify version is 2.3.8)
   2. The Examsoft student perspective video 30mins
   3. The Examsoft/ExamID FAQ
   4. Examsoft information page
   5. The general Reminders/Guidelines

The materials (such as slides, handouts and audio/video recordings) provided to students who are taking courses at St. George’s University (SGU) are the intellectual property of the Faculty and/or Administration of SGU. Students are free to use these materials solely for the purpose of group or individual study. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited.