China Field Epidemiology Training Program for Veterinarian (FETPV)

Module 1: Introduction to veterinary epidemiology

29 November - 22 December, 2010
1.

Background

The appearance of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), Nipah virus and severe
acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has clearly demonstrated shortcomings in the ability to
rapidly detect, report, and respond to such emerging diseases in Southeast Asia, due to lack of
human capacity. The Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) is a globally recognized
long-term field epidemiology program developed by the public health sector. This two-year
course provides training to support outbreak investigations, analysis of surveillance data, field
research and provision of practical recommendations for decision makers. Most importantly, the
FETP model also promotes the concept of training by providing services. With successful
stories of FETP in public health, the Ministry of Agriculture in China is currently partnering with
the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and United States Agency
for International Development (USAID), to develop such a program similar to FETP for
veterinarians.
The China FETPV is pleased to announce that the training course will be held during 29
November 23 December 2010 in Beijing, China. This one month course is aimed at providing
basic knowledge in field epidemiological applications focusing on effective animal disease
surveillance and outbreak response and at introducing the long-term FETPV course.
2.

Objectives
1) To provide to participants with expertise in the basic concepts of field epidemiology
focusing on the following activities
- principles and concepts of field epidemiology for disease prevention and control
- design and assessment of disease surveillance and networks using multi-level and
multi-disciplinary approaches.
- planing and conduct of effective outbreak investigations under a variety of field
situations,
2) To introduce the FETPV course to the participants , and
3) To explore the possibility of collaboration for the development of an international
FETPV.

3.

Target participants and requirement

In total, 15 trainees will be selected from core staff from veterinary department or institution
of the national level and project provinces (Hunan, Guangxi, Yunnan, and Chongqing).
They will be selected according to the following criteria:
Essential:
-

Special interest in field epidemiology and working on animal disease control program;

At least 2 years working experience in epidemiology related fields;

Good performance in current position, recommendation from direct supervisor and head of
the institution;
Bachelor Degree or above in Veterinary Medicine or equivalence;
Proof of adequate language skills in English;
2545 years old;
Good communication and organizational skills;
Commitment from the employing government agency to assign the trainee to duties involving
extensive practices using epidemiological expertise and to support the trainee to participate in
periodic epidemiology training courses over 2 years.

Desired:
-

4.

Experience in field work including field studies and investigations;

Currently working in animal disease control field especially on investigations and surveillance;
Ability to organize similar training upon return to their institute.

Course methodology
-

5.

Course will adopt the following approach to learning:

Necessary theoretical knowledge and concepts using a problem-oriented approach that
stresses critical reasoning skills
Practical exercises to reinforce knowledge, concepts and critical reasoning skills
Apply knowledge in simulations based on actual field case studies
Introduction of multi-disciplinary approach at all levels of activities
Course organizers

MoA and FAO (main organizers);

China Animal Health & Epidemiology Center (CAHEC/Qingdao);
China-Canada Livestock Health Extension Services Program (LHESP);
United States Agency for International Development (USAID);
United States Center for Disease Control (USCDC);
Faculties of Veterinary Medicine (Wuhan, Beijing);
International research centers: RVC/UK, CIRAD/France, IZSVe/Italy.

Course Component
Part 1: Explaining and applying essential epidemiological concepts.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this part of the course, participants will be able to:
1. Explain and apply basic epidemiological concepts and essential definitions needed for
addressing animal and human health problems;
2. Explain how epidemiological approaches support government regulatory services;
3. Describe the key elements of the human-animal interface and explain why these are
important in disease control;
4. Explain the concept of causation and how it is used to better understand animal and
human health problems;
5. Explain and apply the basic measures and tools of descriptive epidemiology.
Part 2: Assessing population health and disease status by conducting surveys and surveillance.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this part of the course, participants will be able to:
1. Explain the purpose and use of surveys and surveillance;
2. Explain sampling methods and perform basic sample size calculations;
3. Explain the properties of diagnostic tests, perform basic associated calculations and
use them for interpretation of test results;
4. Analyze data gathered through surveys and surveillance and produce practical
recommendations
Part 3: Conducting an epidemiological investigation of a disease outbreak.
Learning Objectives:
1. At the end of this part of the course, participants will be able to: Explain the aims and
basic knowledge and skills of disease outbreak investigation;
2. Explain and implement the necessary steps in preparing for and conducting a disease
outbreak investigation including analysis and interpretation of the resulting data;
3. Explain how to conduct disease outbreak investigations in different animal systems;
4. Explain and apply basic descriptive statistical methods for describing a disease
outbreak event;
Part 4: Communicating results and producing practical recommendations for stakeholders
relating to population health based on disease status assessment and analysis of outbreak
investigation data.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this part of the course, participants will be able to:
1. Present descriptive data in oral and written formats;
2. Communicate practical recommendations to stakeholders relating to the data
produced.

Module 1: Introduction to veterinary epidemiology

November 29th December 23rd 2010
Date

8:30-9:00

9:00-10:30

11:00-12:30

13:30-15:00

15:30-17:00

Part 1 Basic epidemiological concepts

Sun 28
Mon 29

Tue 30

Opening
Ceremony
Pretest
Basic measures and
tools of descriptive
epidemiology

Basic measures and

tools of descriptive
epidemiology
(exercise)
Part 2 Assess Animal and/or Related Human Health Situation
Wen 1
Wrap up
Surveys and
Sampling methods
surveillance in
and performing
animal health
basic sample size
calculations
Thu 2
Wrap up
Properties of
Properties of
diagnostic test,
diagnostic test,
performing basic
performing basic
associated
associated
calculations and
calculations and
interpretation of
interpretation of test
test results
results

Fri 3

Wrap up

Understanding of the
human-animal
interface

Wrap up

(exercise)
Design of surveillance systems

Registration and Course Orientation

Apply basic
Apply basic
epidemiological
epidemiological concepts
concepts and
and essential definitions
essential definitions
(exercise)
How epidemiology supports government regulatory
services
(Workshop)
Sampling methods and performing basic sample size
calculations

Surveillance data
analysis

(exercise)

Design of surveillance systems

(exercise)
Sat 4
Sun 5
Mon 6

(exercise)
Surveillance data analysis

(exercise)
Week-end

Surveillance Field Activities (Moa, CDC, FAO and university)

Date

8:30-9:00

9:00-10:30

11:00-12:30

13:30-15:00

15:30-17:00

Tue 7

Surveillance Field Activities (MoA, CDC, FAO and university)

Wed 8

Mentoring (summarize and produce recommendations from surveillance field activities)

Thu 9

Wrap up

Presentation of surveillance field activities

Discussion and conclusions of surveillance field

activities
Outbreak investigation: Field visit

Fri 10

Sat 11Sun 12
Part 3 The epidemiological response to a disease outbreak
Concept of disease
outbreak
investigation

Holiday

Mon 13

Wrap up

Animal disease
outbreak
investigation

Using descriptive
statistical methods
for describing a
disease event

Using descriptive
statistical methods for
describing a disease event

Tue 14

Wrap up

Simulation exercise on outbreak investigation

(exercise)
Simulation exercise on outbreak investigation

Wed 15

Wrap up

Simulation exercise on outbreak investigation

Simulation exercise on outbreak investigation

Part 4 Communication - Reporting findings and making recommendations

Thu 16
Fri 17

Risk communication
Wrap up

Data presentation
and report writing

Data presentation
and report writing
Week-end

Data presentation and report writing exercise

Sat 18Sun 19
Mon 20

Presentation

Presentation

Tue 21
Wed 22

Weekly scientific meeting

Closing ceremony

Weekly scientific meeting

Departure of participants

Remark: All exercises and field activities will be facilitated by instructors