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for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Veterinary Public Health |
| Unit code |
VETS34022 |
| Credit points |
0 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Ed van Klink |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
VETS10100, VETS10200, VETS10300, VETS10400, VETS14000, VETS20100, VETS20200, VETS20300, VETS20400, VETS24000, VETS30002, VETS30005, VETS30006, VETS24001 |
| Co-requisites |
VETS34018, VETS34019, VETS34023, VETS36000 |
| School/department |
Bristol Veterinary School |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Health Sciences |
Description including Unit Aims
In broad terms, VPH deals with the impact of animals on human health and well-being. Many diseases in humans are contracted from animals (zoonoses). These include diseases contracted from living animals and food-borne diseases that arise from eating animal-derived products. The Unit deals with the role of vets in assuring food chain safety. The Unit also includes diseases of animals that have economic significance and thus an impact on human well-being. Animal disease control and eradication, the role of the veterinary surgeon and the legal and international background and implications are also included.
Aims:
To provide students with an understanding of the core elements of VPH:
- The principles of facilitation of global trade - International, EU & UK legal agreements and frameworks; principles of certification.
- Food chain assurance and control of food-borne disease.
- Transboundary diseases including zoonoses and diseases of significant socio-economic impact.
- Principles of animal health ecology; vectors, wildlife, new and emerging diseases, the role of surveillance.
- Principles of animal production, disease prevention and control in relation to environmental protection and economics.
- Other animal-related issues which impact on society including animal welfare and companion animal risks.
Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Unit students will be able to:
- Understand their role in global public health by recognition of the consequences for human health and the environment of animals and their management. Advise and contribute to the improvement of human well-being as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Understand the importance of notifiable and zoonotic diseases both nationally and globally, including their recognition, clinical consequences and current means of control by DEFRA and internationally.
- Understand the scientific basis for the legislative control of food and protection of the environment.
- Advise on the suitability of animals for food production, recognise and apply the principles of food hygiene and safety, including food inspection and control, and implement the principles of health certification of food.
- Understand and apply the principles of risk analysis, particularly as they relate to food safety at all stages of the food chain, including the principles and application of HACCP.
- Understand the welfare of food animals, including the regulations pertaining to the transport of animals and emergency slaughter on farm
Teaching Information
The unit’s teaching comprises:
- lectures
- DSE using VPH problem scenarios
- practical work in the abattoir during VPH clerking (within FAS-VPH rotation)
- writing a report on the practical work
Assessment Information
Written examination (January of 4th year):
Long answer paper (1.5 hours) 50%
MCQ paper (1 hour) 40%
A written and presented report as a group DSE exercise in the first semester of the 4th year 10 %
A minimum mark of 50% must be achieved in VPH to proceed to final year.
Failure to achieve these criteria will result in resit examinations in September. In the event of a re-sit, students will sit an examination in the same format and length as the original exam.
Reading and References
Recommended Sources:
- Buncic (2006) Integrated Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health. CABI International
- DEFRA: Animal Health. (http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/index.htm)
- World Organisation for Animal Health (http://www.oie.int/eng/en_index.htm)
- Brown (Ed) (2000) HACCP in the Meat Industry. Woodhead Publishing Ltd
- Handbook of Zoonoses : Identification and Prevention , Joann Colville, David Berryhill ISBN: 0323044786
- Food Standards Agency: Manual for official controls. (http://www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry/meat/mhservice/manual)
