NEWS A new interactive course at Umeå University on infectious disease epidemiology and the so-called One health response has attracted 135 applicants from all over Sweden and the EU.
The course has been established as a response to the growing threat of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, not least in light of the current pandemic. Part of the course is at bachelor's level and second part at master's level. The courses are interdisciplinary and include epidemiology, medicine, biology, public health, environmental science, social sciences, economics, geography and administration. Their aim is to provide students with in-depth knowledge and practical training in the field of infectious disease epidemiology using the “One Health” approach.
- A unique aspect of the courses is that they are shaped by the ‘One Health’ approach, a concept that considers health of people, animals and the environment are interconnected. It is now used globally as one of the best strategies to combat infectious diseases, says Osama Ahmed Hassan, PhD-infectious disease epidemiologist, who is the founder of the course and one of two course leaders.
The courses is 7.5 credits and organized by the Department of Clinical Microbiology. The course is completely online so that participants from all over the world can participate.
- Due to the large number of applicants, we are working to bring in more students to be able to fill the gap and build the capacity needed in infectious disease epidemiology and One Health response, says Magnus Evander, professor and one of the leaders of the courses.
One Health is an interdisciplinary way of looking at the concept of health, which means that many infectious pathogens circulate between animals and humans with a possible environmental role. Infection can be transmitted via direct contact with animals or their excretions, water, food or with, for example, mosquitoes and ticks. Doctors, veterinarians, ecologists and other disciplines work together to understand how different infectious pathogens are spread and how new infections arise.
