93982 - Farm Biosecurity And Zoonotic Diseases Prevention

Learning outcomes

After completing this course, students will be able: to assess the quality of biosecurity measures applied in farms and manage the risk factors; to propose practical, economically feasible and flexible initiatives to reduce the zoonotic hazards at primary production level.

Course contents

The course will present the prevention and control measures that can be applied on farm to control zoonosis and (food borne) infectious disease in the pre -harvest phase of the food chain, in compliance with national and international guidelines and legislation.
Lessons will deliver outlines on the major zoonosis and will cover principles of biosecurity, vaccination and hygiene practices applied in food producing animal farms.
The practical part of the course will consist of visits to farms to practice the assessment of biosecurity level and possible risk factors related to their structural characteristics and management. Working groups will be formed for the preparation of reports on the overall risks identified in the visited farms, discussion of the collected data and proposals to effectively achieve zoonosis prevention, improvement of animal health and welfare and consequently increase food safety.

Readings/Bibliography

Files of the power point presentation of the lessons and the seminars will be provided to the students. Additional literature sources will be indicated during the course.

Teaching methods

Front lectures, seminars held by experts and visits to farms

Assessment methods

The assessment takes place through an oral interview.

Teaching tools

Power Point presentations; videos; visit to farms; questionnaires; working groups.

Office hours

See the website of Marco De Nardi