About the Symposium
Today's strong scientific focus on climate change and ecological stability has led to increased recognition of the link between environmental change and emerging infectious diseases. Altered temperature and rainfall patterns are predicted to affect the range of arthropod vectors. Land use change brings wildlife and humans into closer proximity, exposing human populations to sylvatic disease cycles. Access to clean water, free of multi-host pathogens, remains one of the greatest hurdles in international health. The recent formation of the One Health Commission reflects the need to integrate medical, veterinary, and environmental knowledge to promote true Global Health. The Veterinary Public Health Association of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine seeks to support this goal through the second annual Zoonotic Diseases Symposium, to be held at the College from March 5-7, 2010.
We truly hope that students will take advantage of this unique opportunity to collaborate with their peers in the health sciences. Students should come out of this weekend not only with a better understanding of diseases shared by humans and animals, but also with an appreciation for the necessity of partnerships between all health professionals in preventing and treating zoonoses and handling disease outbreaks.
Associate Dean for Public Policy,
Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine
This symposium is open to students currently obtaining their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Medicine, Nursing and Master of Public Health degrees, as well as undergraduate students that are interested in pursuing medical and public health studies, thereby allowing for a true "One Medicine" approach to this important issue. Lectures will address emerging zoonotic diseases in the context on environmental change. An afternoon workshop will foster skills in outbreak response and prevention, and will emphasize the value of inter-disciplinary cooperation. It is hoped that students will gain a further understanding of the relationship between environment and disease, and the role they can play in mitigating emerging disease in our rapidly changing world.
VPHA is an independent student organization located at Cornell University and is responsible for the production and content of the Zoonotic Diseases Symposium website. This website was not reviewed or approved by Cornell University. It does not necessarily express or reflect the policies or opinions of Cornell University or its designated representatives.