Charles D Treser
ENV H 442
Examines the transmission and control of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases of public health importance in the United States and globally. Pays attention to identification, surveillance, and control methods. Prerequisite: minimum grade of 2.0 in BIOL 220. Offered: W.
This course examines zoonotic diseases and their control. Zoonotic diseases are diseases affecting human populations in which one or more animals play a significant role in their causation or transmission. Many diseases involve an intermediary living organism or vector which plays an important role in the transmission cycle between the pathogenic organism and the human victim. We will study the impact of rodent and arthropod vectors of disease — including those of historical importance as well as endemic and emerging diseases. Identification, surveillance and control methods will be examined with attention paid to pesticide use, regulation and safety measures.
Student learning goals
Students should be able describe, in general terms, the cause(s), signs, symptoms, and importance of the zoonotic or vectorborne diseases of public health significance -- regionally, nationally and internationally.
Students should be able describe the life cycle, anatomy, role in disease transmission, and control measures for: rodents, mosquitoes and other flies, cockroaches, ticks, lice and fleas.
Students should be able to describe the typical habitats preferred by important rodent and arthropod disease vectors in the Pacific Northwest.
Students should be able to describe appropriate methods for monitoring and controlling rodent and arthropod populations of public health importance.
General method of instruction
Lectures, class discussions and a course project.
Class assignments and grading
There will be a midterm and final examination and a class project. Each of these are worth approximately 100 points. Additional points may be awarded for class participation (or subtracted for lack thereof).
The final grade earned is calculated by dividing each student's accumulated points by the total number of points possible (~300).