14th ICID - Poster Abstracts - International Society for Infectious ...

When citing these abstracts please use the following reference:
Author(s) of abstract. Title of abstract [abstract]. Int J Infect Dis 2010;14S1: Abstract number.
Please note that the official publication of the International Journal of Infectious Diseases 2010, Volume 14, Supplement 1
is available electronically on http://www.sciencedirect.com
Final Abstract Number: 76.016
Session: Emerging Infectious Diseases
Date: Friday, March 12, 2010
Time: 12:30-13:30
Room: Poster & Exhibition Area/Ground Level
Type: Poster Presentation
'One World One Health' in practice: Integrating public health and veterinary curricula on emerging
infectious diseases in Africa
G. Mullins 1 , J. Jagne 1 , L. Stone 2 , E. Konings 2 , L. Howard-Grabman 3 , F. Hartman 2 , M. Fulton 4
1 Development Alternatives Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA, 2 Management Sciences for Health,
Cambridge, MA, USA, 3 Training Resources Group, Arlington, VA, USA, 4 Michigan State
University, Lansing, MI, USA
Background: Research indicates that up to 65% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic.
This has contributed to the “One World One HealthTM” paradigm which highlights interactions
between humans, domestic and wild animals in a shrinking environment. Though the OWOH
theme has gained support within the scientific community, formal training integrating medical,
veterinary and public health practices addressing emerging zoonotic disease is rare.
The USAID-funded Stamping Out Pandemic and Avian Influenza (STOP AI) global project is
designed to prepare those responsible for the planning, surveillance, response to and prevention
of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Since inception, STOP AI has drawn upon
veterinary and human medicine disciplines, public health, and the social sciences to design its
training programs. Through practical field experience, STOP AI determined that effective
training required the integration of veterinary, medical and public health aspects.
Methods: STOP AI training modules on HPAI epidemiology, risk assessment, surveillance,
outbreak response, bio-safety and bio-security were subsequently integrated by teams of
veterinary, medical, public health and socio-economics professionals to represent interaction
between the disciplines at all stages of planning, surveillance and response to HPAI, e.g.
outbreak investigation teams included individuals from both disciplines, trace back and contact
tracing considered inter-species virus transmission, etc. Adult education specialists worked with
the STOP AI technical team members to create clear messages and mechanisms to convey the
information.
Results: The integrated STOP AI modules have repeatedly been field-tested with mixed groups
of human and veterinary medical practitioners throughout sub-Saharan Africa. STOP AI
monitored group response and uptake, and assessed comprehension of the new materials
through observation and written evaluations. An integrated core curriculum on HPAI is being
finalized which the University of Ghana’s School of Public Health plans to offer as a Master’s
degree course elective in the spring of 2010.
Conclusion: The zoonotic nature of emerging diseases has brought the medical and veterinary
communities into closer working relationships, but with limited impact on their respective training
activities. The STOP AI project in Africa is a leading example of the type of innovative training
programs needed to better prepare public health and veterinary practitioners to address emerging
infectious diseases.