The Basic Epidemiology Workshop for the VEP project had for purpose to provide the principles of veterinary epidemiology that are needed to fulfill the expected outcomes of the Veterinary Epidemiologist Para-epidemiologist Program (VEP). During this training, participants acquired basic epidemiological skills. They learnt to apply appropriate epidemiologic tools to solve animal disease problems.

Participants worked with course facilitators and mentors to finalize an epidemiological study plan for use in addressing an animal health issue within their countries.

Presentations

Presentations by Cristobal Zepeda 

- Introduction to Veterinary Epidemiology 

- Surveys and sampling 

- Risk analysis

Abstract : Risk Analysis is a tool used by many disciplines to evaluate the probability and impact that identified hazards may poise, and the mitigation and communication made around the estimated risk. The trade of animals and animal products is one such area in which risk analysis has been recommended as it provides a consistent, scientifically based, flexible and transparent means of evaluating products for import. The process can be divided into a number of components that includes, hazard identification, risk assessment, risk communication and risk management. Risk assessment can either incorporate a quantitative, qualitative or mixed approach. These methods have their advantages and disadvantages, as where the quantitative method would be more profound, the qualitative method is faster and can be used where numerical data is not available. The process of risk assessment is further divided into release, exposure and consequence assessments. A risk estimate is determined from the integration of these assessments and captures the uncertainty and variability in the process. These steps evaluate the entity for importation by taking into account factors related to the export and importing countries, disease agent and commodity as well as the susceptible population and the direct and indirect consequences of introduction and spread. Decisions are then made regarding the management of the risk, having communicated throughout the process with entities poised to benefit from the import as well as those that would be negatively affected.

Gillian Ellis 

- Risk assessment: risk of transmitting low pathogenicity avian influenza virus through the export of poultry meat 

- Approach for the implementation of compartmentalization

Presentations by Mo Salman 

- Considerations for the design of your project 

- Epidemiologic studies, when and why 

- Characteristics of screening and diagnostic tests 

- Sample size to estimate prevalence 

- Sample sizes for different epidemiologic purposes 

- Assessing disease (pathogen) freedom

Presentation by Victor Gongora 

- Epidemiology and animal health proramms in Caribbean: the role of CaribVET

Presentation by Ian Gardner 

- Measering associations in epidemiologic studies

Presentations by Jorge Hernandez

- An epidemiologic of FMD in Ecuador:

- case control study,

- design, sampling, sample size, data collection, epidemiologic analysis and interpretation,

- study limitations

Field Trials

- Example: protection against direct-contact challenge following emergency FMD vaccination of cattle and the effect on virus excretion from the oropharinx

- design, sampling, sample size, data collection, epidemiologic analysis and interpretation

- study limitations

Presentation by Amy Delgado 

- Attitudes, beliefs and risk perception