Practical Epi for Progressive (FMD) Control - Course

WHAT does the course aim to achieve? Enthusiastic trainees Countries are embarking on the Progressive Control Pathway (PCP), but many Veterinary Services lack capacity in epidemiology and socio-economics required to progress beyond the early stages 1. Define objectives 2. Design study (fit to achieve objectives) 3. Data collection 4. Data entry/validation 5. Data analysis (transforming data to information) 6. Write a useful report that clearly presents information - Develop epidemiology capacity to effectively implement the PCP-FMD: Provide practical training in epidemiology and socio-economics Skills required to progress through Stages 1-3 of PCP-FMD - Build confidence to independently review and learn new epidemiology skills - Discuss and debate approaches to FMD control with colleagues in the region During the course and after Participants work in Veterinary Services on FMD prevention and control Open-minded, keen to learn Very good level of English Including excellent understanding of spoken English Committed to 4 weeks training plus additional homework Prior epidemiology training is not required, although participants should be computer literate Core trainers are trained epidemiologists (PhD) Field experience in FMD control Additional expertise (laboratory, socio-economics) brought in for certain modules Melissa McLaws, Chris Bartels, Keith Sumption PEP-C Practical Epidemiology for Progressive Control A Training Course brought to you by: WHY this course? The first PEP-C course was given in 2012 16 trainees from 6 countries: - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Iran and Egypt All countries in PCP-FMD Stage 1 or Stage 2 1 week sessions with 3-4 weeks in between each session Expertise in epidemiology and socio-economics required to fulfill Stages What is PEP-C? What are the ingredients? The Experience Under Development (coming soon...) Giancarlo Ferrari Naci Bulut Theo Knight-Jones Chris Bartels Melissa McLaws Week 1: Outbreak Investigation Outbreak investigation From: Pfeiffer Iceberg concept MOST LIKELY TIME OF INTRODUCTION Investigation of FMD in a dairy farm Districts Households/villages Farms Pens e.g. No. Infected pens/total no. pens Individual animal Eg. No animals sick/total no. animals vv vv vv vv vv Unit of analysis: what are you counting?? Week 2: Socio-economic analysis and Value chain Week 3: Surveys and Surveillance Week 4: FMD Control: Theory and management FAO manual 11: good emergency management practice: the essentials Introduction of FMD (new serotype) Emergency preparedness plan – being ready Contingency plan – doing Operational plan - instructions Recovery – back to normal Endemic/ongoing situations: Risk-based control strategy Need for strategy – different situations in endemic countries Problem-solving, Active learning Focus on practical application of epidemiological tools Specifically developed for this course Case studies, field trips, exercises, group discussion, lectures, homework Trainers Learning approach Training material Ingredients: Student-centered Approach + Fit-for-Purpose Material + Practical application + Experienced trainers + Enthusiastic trainees Ingredients: “Week 1 changed my view on Outbreak investigation from just collecting sample/making diagnosis to understand the outbreak (traceback, spread, curve)” Classic FMD investigation including field work Put into context of greater FMDV circulation, and understanding RISK Animal movements involved in outbreak investigated in PEP-C week 1 working with stakeholders to identify critical control points and feasible mitigation measures measuring direct and indirect impacts of FMD and control measures Essential for advocacy (for funding FMD control) AND to define risk Value chain analysis: Impact Assessment: Questionnaire design, sample size, measures of disease...in theory and practice Using Epi-collect software in the field Putting it all together: theory of disease spread and control management application to a component of the National FMD control strategy country presentations to EuFMD Secretary and chair of W. Eurasia Roadmap Very well received/appreciated Subject material Course format (practical, problem-solving focus) Ambitious objectives: material diverse and broad-scope Need more time to absorb and apply material Independent study, distance learning (internet-based?) 1 week/month was good structure Time to digest material Homework between sessions included practical application Extended course Developed regional network/friendships With 1st cohort: Maintain network: WikiSpace, Roadmap meetings Continue skill development: Refresher training, collaborative projects Work in context of W. Eurasia FMD management Centre Future courses: Refine material but maintain problem-solving, active format Next steps: Lessons learned from 1st course: Field trips: disease outbreak investigation sero-survey and questionnaire Meeting with private stakeholders Elaborating a specific component of a country's FMD control strategy Practical application Course Outline: Week 1 2 3 4 “I have learned to ask (and try to answer) questions like ‘Why’, ‘How’, ‘When’, ‘Where”, ‘Who’ in order to get a better understanding about the disease” "I liked to have different trainers with new methods, ways and experience" "thinking about risk pathways was the most interesting" "Sample size, sensitivity/specificity was well organized to serve our needs" "practical epidemiology is needed to establish activities to progress in PCP and global strategy of FMD control" The course emphasizes development of an ‘epidemiological approach’ to problem solving: "I liked the applied approach - it was different from other epidemiology courses"