Professionals in the fields of veterinary medicine and agriculture will get a chance to hear the newest developments in foreign animal and emerging diseases.  

The event, which is sponsored by the UT College of Veterinary Medicine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was first held in Knoxville in 2005.

The course, which the college plans to offer every other year, provides an opportunity to raise awareness and understanding of foreign animal and emerging diseases for professionals in veterinary medicine and agriculture. Other professionals responsible for foreign animal disease outbreak control and response may benefit from the training.

John C. New Jr., head of the Department of Comparative Medicine at the vet school, said there are many reasons for offering the course. For example, domestic livestock and pets do not have defenses against many diseases active in some parts of the world.

New said the foot-and-mouth virus, which is common in parts of the world such as Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan, could be acquired easily by a bioterrorist. If the disease were introduced into the United States, it would devastate livestock populations here, and infected animals would have to be killed.

New said this in turn could cause U.S. export markets to close because foreign governments would be reluctant to risk bringing the disease into their own countries. This would destroy not only the animal population, but also the livelihoods of countless American farmers. 

New said many diseases to be discussed in the course could be transmitted to humans as well. While foot-and-mouth disease cannot be transmitted to humans, diseases such as anthrax are common in animals in many countries and can be spread to humans.

Experts in disease control from all over the world will speak during the week, and New expects participants to come from all over the nation. New said any student with an interest in veterinary or biological sciences would find this course beneficial. 

Registration for the course is limited, so those interested are encouraged to register early. Online registration is available at the Center for Agriculture Food Security and Preparedness website.

The fee for the course is $450 with a valid student ID and $825 for non-students. The fee includes meeting notebooks, multimedia CDs, and a continental breakfast and lunch Monday through Thursday. 

For more information, call 865.974.0345.