Emergency Animal Diseases 4

This subject is not offered in 2014.

Approximately 112 hours per semester

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For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject focuses on emergency diseases of poultry and aquatic species.

The poultry and aquatic industries share several features in common with respect to emergency animal disease. These include the high stocking densities of susceptible animals and the dependence upon effective biosecurity to prevent disease outbreaks. If this biosecurity breaks down, or new diseases or strains are introduced, massive mortalities may result, the foremost recent examples being the continuing H5N1 epidemic in poultry and the recurring outbreaks of White Spot Syndrome (WSS) in shrimp.

This module will use online lecture notes and study materials to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the major emergency diseases of poultry and aquatics. Accordingly, it will deepen the understanding gained from Modules 1 and 4, and expand on the understanding from Modules 5, 7 and 9.

On completion of this subject, students will have gained:

• a comprehensive understanding of epidemiology and diagnosis of three important poultry diseases (highly pathogenic avian influenza, Newcastle disease and Infectious bursal disease) and four important aquatic diseases (White Spot Syndrome, viral haemorrhagic septicaemia, infectious salmon anaemia and infection with koi herpesvirus);
• an in-depth familiarity of the literature describing outbreaks of these diseases, with a focus particularly on outbreak investigations and management of H5N1 and WSS in the intensively farmed poultry and shrimp in Asia; and
• a capability to make a critical evaluation of disease outbreak investigations and the implementation of management and control measures in the intensive poultry and aquaculture farms.

Students will be assessed for participation in weekly forum discussions, group assignment in week 5 and final written exam in week 9 and 10. Students will be required to arrange an appropriate venue (e.g. a nearby university) to sit this assessment under supervised examination conditions.

The assessment components of this subject are:

• Participation in online forum discussions (15%)
• Group assignment of 4000 words (25%)
• Written 2-hour final exam (60%)

Students will use a reading list of scientific articles from the current literature, which will be provided on-line.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students should have developed their:

• ability to critically interpret the scientific literature describing historical animal disease eradication campaigns; and
• ability to read and write reports critically evaluating the investigation and management of emergency outbreaks diseases in intensive poultry and aquaculture farms.

Reliable internet access with at least a medium speed connection and a personal computer are essential for undertaking this online program. The content is accessed through your web browser. Microsoft Office™ and Adobe Acrobat Reader or equivalent software packages are necessary for assessment tasks, assignments and some class exercises.