Julie Thelen - MSU Extension 4-H Livestock & Veterinary Science Educator

Nancy Thelen - MSU Extension Agricultural Literacy Educator

Why care about

Zoonotic Diseases?

MSU is an affirmative-

action, equal-opportunity

employer. Michigan State

University Extension

programs and materials are

open to all without regard

to race, color, national

origin, sex, gender, gender

identity, religion, age,

height, weight, disability,

political beliefs, sexual

orientation, marital status,

family status or veteran

status.

Zoonotic Disease Educational Tool Kit…

What is in that box?

• 3 new Animal Science Anywhere lesson plans

• Diseases That Animals and Humans Share: The

Words You Need to Know

• What is a Pathogen?

• Basics of Biosecurity

• Supplies for all three lessons

• Be A “Zoonotic” Disease

Detective bulletin

What’s Zoonotic?

• Or zoonosis, refers to a disease

that can spread from animals to

humans.

• Why is it important to know

about Zoonotic diseases?

What is a pathogen?

“A pathogen is something such as a virus or a

bacterium that causes disease. Illnesses caused

by pathogens can spread quickly through a herd or

flock, or from animal to human or human to animal.

Knowing what the words mean can help you to

understand veterinarians as well as prepare

yourself for raising and caring for animals. Today,

you will be learning key vocabulary words that

allow you to better understand the risks posed to

you and your animals.”

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention…

“To get started, we are going to look at four more

definitions. You may have heard or read about an

agency called the CDC. CDC is an acronym that

stands for the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention, a government agency that protects the

health, safety and security of Americans from

disease threats. For example, the CDC has helped

ill and healthy people when they enter the US from

places in West Africa where there is concern about

Ebola virus disease. Ebola is actually a zoonotic

disease that can also be spread person to person.”

Epidemiologists & Disease Outbreak…

“Epidemiologists help keep everyone healthy.

These are scientists who specialize in diseases

that affect groups of people or animals. They

investigate patterns and causes of disease in

humans. They mostly study any sudden increase

in the presence of a disease (when many people

or animals in a specific area become ill in greater

numbers than normal), which is called a disease

outbreak.”

Sterilize…

“To sterilize means to remove living

microorganisms by using physical or chemical

agents.”

Remember this later for BIOSECUITY…

Let’s play a game…

• You all have willingly learned 6 definitions this

morning – Now we are adding in a few more!

• Many of you have a zoonotic card – It has either

a word or a definition listed on it.

1. Please read your card and move around the room to

try to find the person that has the corresponding

card.

2. Once you find that person, please stand or find a

seat next to this person and wait for further

instructions.

Reviewing the game…

• Easily teach something new!

Diseases That Animals and Humans

Share: The Words You Need to Know

Objectives:

1. Determine the definition

of each zoonotic vocabulary

word used.

2. Match correct terms

with definitions.

3. Understand each

vocabulary word when

used in a sentence.

Again, why is this important?

• Animal health

• Human health

• Outbreak: Impact on your fair/event

• Public perception

• Food safety

• Breaking the disease cycle

• Cost

Prevention Strategies

• #1: BIOSECURITY

Basics of Biosecurity Lesson

Other prevention methods:

• Sterilizing

• 6% Bleach in a 1:32 ratio

• Animal Identification

• Careful monitoring

• Education

Prevention:

Be A “Zoonotic” Disease Detective

• Avoid sick people & animals.

• Clean your hands.

• Cover your mouth & nose.

• Avoid touching your eyes,

nose, or mouth.

• Get a flu vaccine every year.

• Don’t eat or drink around animals.

• Clean cages & equipment.

• Practice other good health habits.

• Don’t snuggle or kiss animals.

Who do you need to educate?

• Important messages…

• “Be Healthy at the Fair” • No food or drink in animal areas.

• Wash your hands with soap and

water when you leave the barn.

• Remove pacifiers and avoid

hand-to-mouth contact.

• Exhibitors and Attendees

What is a pathogen?

Teaching the Science…

What is a Pathogen? lesson

• Hands-On learning

Objectives:

1. Describe examples of a pathogen

and the problems they can cause.

2. Construct 3 types of bacteria as well as a virus and a parasite to

observe and determine the differences between the 3 main types

of disease agents.

3. Name the general reproductive methods of bacteria, viruses and

parasites.

4. Describe common diseases caused by these disease agents and

methods to prevent them.

But does it really relate to fairs &

festivals?

• Yes!

• Any public event

involving animals and

humans can spread

Zoonotic diseases

• Exhibitors and volunteers need to understand

what this means

• Sponsoring organizations need to be aware of

current health (animal and human) concerns

What can you do?

• Follow biosecurity measures such as:

• Don’t eat or drink around animals

• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

• Wash hands using soap & water or hand sanitizer

• Signage should be educational and

understandable

• Follow animal disease prevention

practices when raising, transporting

and exhibiting animals…

You have the information, now what

do you do with it?

• Fair displays/educational signage

• Fair board meetings – play the game!

• Youth livestock meetings – conduct the lessons

• Partner with county 4-H staff members to

educate youth, parents and volunteers

• Implement suggested strategies

• Develop a plan to keep you and your event

healthy

Additional Resources…

• Additional Zoonotic Diseases resources:

http://4h.msue.msu.edu/resources/resource/zoo

notic_disease

• If you enjoy these lessons, find more animal

science-related lessons at:

http://4h.msue.msu.edu/resources/4_h_animal_

science_anywhere

• Agriculture Literacy Resources:

http://msue.anr.msu.edu/program/info/agricultura

l_literacy

Questions

Thank you for your time. The activities from the

three lessons are located at the front if you would

like an additional look at the lessons.