Animal Viruses: Their Transmission and the Diseases They Produce

Online Course

Complutense University of Madrid

Future Learn

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Animal Viruses: Their Transmission and the Diseases They Produce

What is the course about?
Prerequisites & Facts
Cost, Certificate & Degree
Reviews & Experiences

What is the course about?

Animal Viruses: Their Transmission and the Diseases They Produce

The course Animal Viruses: Their Transmission and the Diseases They Produce is an online class provided by Complutense University of Madrid through Future Learn. It may be possible to receive a verified certification or use the course to prepare for a degree.

Learn how important animal viruses are transmitted between animals and humans, and understand the diseases they produce._x000D_

Course description

Understand what happens to animals when they are affected by viruses
6 weeks

In this free online course, you will learn about animal viruses that affect pets, birds, sheep, cattle, swine and horses, and produce important diseases.
These animal diseases may cause huge economic losses to farmers and severe emotional distress to animal owners. They may even be transmitted to humans, posing important questions about their spread and control.
The course has been developed by a team at Complutense University of Madrid, who are all experienced in teaching virology and infectious diseases at veterinary schools at Madrid and Alfort.

Introduction to animal viruses, their form and structure (or morphology), and characteristics. Basic information to help understanding viral diseases in animals and humans.
Faecal-oral transmission: using parvoviruses and canine parvovirosis as an example.
Open wounds: focusing on rabies and other zoonotic viruses, which produce diseases in both humans and animals.
Arthropod transmission: viruses that are carried by insects and ticks, and introduced directly into the bloodstream.
Airborne transmission: such as influenza, which may be transmitted from birds and pigs to humans.
Other infections difficult to control because they are persistent: produced by viruses that remain in their host, including herpesvirus and retrovirus.

Describe the differences between DNA and RNA viruses, naked and enveloped viruses, and how this affects variability of the genome and the resistance pattern to physical and chemical agents.
Compare the transmission requirements for the different ways viruses spread: airborne, through the skin (vertebrate/invertebrate/vector bites) shed in faeces, and how to avoid spread through management, such as quarantine, disinfection, etc.
Describe the epidemiology and the transmission routes of the diseases dealt with in the course and identify which are transmissible to humans (zoonosis).
Reflect on the pathogenesis of the different diseases, i.e., how viruses produce each specific disease, and the main clinical signs of the diseases mentioned above.
Reflect on the effects of climate change on the distribution of vectors of viral diseases and, thus, on the spread of arboviral diseases.
Evaluate which samples and techniques are the most conclusive to diagnose the different viral diseases mentioned above.
Identify which vaccines are used for the different viral diseases mentioned, their types, and problems that may arise from their use.

This course is designed for anyone with a keen interest in the science behind animal viruses and animal diseases. It will be particularly useful to veterinary and science students wishing to complement their studies and anyone working in animal health and welfare. A basic knowledge of biology is desirable, although not required. Though some aspects may be basic for specialists, such as veterinarians, the course will certainly complement their previous knowledge.

Complutense University of Madrid
The Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) is the largest public research university in Spain, and is widely regarded as one of its most prestigious academic institutions.
L’école nationale vétérinaire d’Alfort
The National veterinary school of Alfort (École nationale vétérinaire d’Alfort or ENVA), is a French public institution of scientific research and higher education in veterinary medicine.

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Prerequisites & Facts

Animal Viruses: Their Transmission and the Diseases They Produce

Course Topic

Agriculture, Disease Outbreak Prevention, Healthcare & Medicine, Nature & Environment

University, College, Institution

Complutense University of Madrid

Course Skill Level

see course summary

Course Language

English

Place of class

Online, self-paced (see curriculum for more information)

Degree

Certificate

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Degree & Cost

Animal Viruses: Their Transmission and the Diseases They Produce

To obtain a verified certificate from Future Learn / Complutense University of Madrid you have to finish this course or the latest version of it, if there is a new edition. The class may be free of charge, but there could be some cost to receive a verified certificate or to access the learning materials. The specifics of the course may have been changed, please consult the provider to get the latest quotes and news.

Complutense University of Madrid

Animal Viruses: Their Transmission and the Diseases They Produce

provided by Future Learn

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