Distance learning on epidemiological surveillance

The course on "The epidemiological surveillance in Veterinary Public Health" has been created to satisfy a specific request from the II Office (ex DSVET) of the Ministry of Health with the aim of offering training to the operators of the National Health System on specific topics with national and Community interest.

The Ministry entrusted the design and supply of the course to the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimantale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale" (IZSAM) as it is a National Reference Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology, Programming, Information and Risk Analysis (COVEPI); National Service Centre for the Identification and Registration of Animals and OIE Collaborating Centre for Veterinary Training, Epidemiology, Food Safety and Animal Welfare.

The network system of epidemiological surveillance is essential for good governance and the management of the veterinary systems, for the prevention and control of animal diseases, zoonoses and food safety. This system has, as a priority, to ensure the early identification, the diagnosis and the prompt response in case an animal disease occurs, included the zoonoses.

The systems and the networks of epidemiological surveillance have an essential role in the management of new tools for the fight against animal diseases, which were planned and implemented during the past years in order to facilitate the international trade of animals and their products.

The course is composed of 5 modules: Basics of epidemiology, Risk analysis, Epidemiological surveillance, Surveillance and control in food safety, The role of information in Veterinary Public Health. The duration of the learning process is 25 hours. There are five editions which will be carried out during the whole year. The first edition started at the end of February. By attending the course participants can obtain 25 CEM.

The course is addressed to veterinarians selected by the Ministry of Health and to veterinarians of the Regional Veterinary Services, the Local Health Units (ASL), the Experimental Zooprofilactic Institutes and the National Health Institute.

For further information write to: formazione.veterinariassn@sanita.it, formazione.teramo@izs.it.