News

Massey University (New Zealand) Updated One Health Program

 

Provided August 2, 2013 to One Health Initiative website by:

Lachlan McIntyre, MVS (Epidemiology), BVSc, BAgrSc EpiCentre, Massey University Project Manager: MVM/MPH (Biosecurity) http://www.hubnet.asia/   Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, New Zealand 4442

Barry Borman MA, PhD Center for Public Health Research, Massey University Associate Professor, Associate Director. http://www.hubnet.asia/   School of Public Health PO Box 756, Wellington, New Zealand 6140

*Joanna McKenzie, PhD, MPVM, MANZCVS, BVSc EpiCentre, Massey University One Health Project Activity Coordinator http://www.hubnet.asia/ Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences 1 Burnside, R.D. 2, Papakura, New Zealand 2582

 

“Most importantly they are providing a working model for collaboration between the public, animal health and wildlife sectors, through which all participants [human and animal health and other science professionals] gain experience in the One Health approach to epidemiology and zoonotic disease control. …”

 

 

The successful collaboration between the Massey University teaching and research groups, EpiCentre and the Centre for Public Health Research has expanded the One Health Masters degree training in epidemiology and public health to a new cohort of 19 human and animal health professionals from China and Mongolia.

 

The cohort includes people working at the operational, laboratory and policy-making levels in both the veterinary and human health sectors.

In addition to the educational outcomes, the program results in strengthening of relationships between the human and animal health sectors, and at the peer-to-peer level between countries.

 

This second cohort of students builds on the previously successful training of 67 veterinarians and physicians from seven countries in South Asia during 2010-2011 as a part of the Regional Training in Human and Animal Health Epidemiology in South Asia Program, which we reported in *July 2012.

 

Following the Masters degree training, the second phase of the South Asia program has expanded capacity-building activities to approximately 200 human and animal health professionals who are directly involved in the design, management, data analysis and reporting of 11 Collaborative Investigation Projects (CIPs) across the 7 countries, with a wider group of over 2000 people participating in the collection and processing of biological samples and data for the projects.

 

Delivery of this phase is supported by an international network of human and animal health epidemiologists, disease experts and diagnosticians who are mentoring the CIP teams and running the associated epidemiology workshops. The network includes professionals from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of Otago (New Zealand), University of Prince Edward Island (Canada), Centre for Animal Health Research in Barcelona (CReSA), Mahidol University (Thailand), Indian Council for Medical Research, Public Health Foundation of India, Tufts Medical Centre, Investigation and Diagnostic Centre - Ministry of Primary Industries (New Zealand), Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Bangladesh), regional offices for WHO, FAO and OIE and Massey University (New Zealand).

 

Participation in the CIPs is providing hands-on experience with epidemiological investigations of major zoonoses whilst at the same time building and strengthening relationships between the human and animal health sectors from field through to national and regional levels.

 

At the institutional level, the CIPs have also provided a catalyst for the establishment of formal agreements between government organisations to work together on the implementation of collaborative projects.

 

Most importantly they are providing a working model for collaboration between the public, domestic animal and wildlife health sectors, through which all participants gain experience in the One Health approach to epidemiology and zoonotic disease control.

 

*See Dr. McKenzie's previous submission on One Health Initiative website www.onehealthinitiative.com scroll down to NEWS item “Outstanding One Health Program Established at Massey University” – New Zealand – Posted Sunday, June 17, 2012.

 

Footnote: Drs. McIntyre and McKenzie are veterinarians with extensive training and expertise in public health/epidemiology.  Dr. Borman http://publichealth.massey.ac.nz/home/people/show/4 is also an epidemiologist and public health authority.