Emergency Animal Disease Training – Case Study 1: Aborting goats

About the course

In this module, you’ll explore a real-world case study of reproductive loss in a Queensland goat herd. Delivered in an interactive, problem-based format, the case study encourages critical thinking and practical application of knowledge in a simulated field scenario.

This case study is part of the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Online Training developed by the University of Melbourne in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). It is designed to equip veterinarians and veterinary students with essential knowledge and skills for recognising, reporting, and responding to suspected EADs in Australia. Each module can be completed independently.

The case study concludes with a quiz to provide an opportunity to assess your knowledge. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate as evidence of course participation.

What you’ll learn

On the successful completion of this module, you will:

• be familiar with the basic concepts of outbreak investigation, personal protective equipment (PPE), biosecurity considerations
• be familiar with public health ramifications where there is risk of zoonotic disease.
• be reminded of your professional and legal obligations to identify and report cases of suspected EADs to government authorities and be able to identify appropriate reporting mechanisms
• understand key response strategies and intervention options in an EAD event
• be aware of key roles of private veterinatians in the detetion, investigation, reporting and response to EAD events
• know where to source technical resources on EADs.

Course content

Participants work through a realistic scenario involving a spike in abortions among dairy goats in Queensland. The module guides learners through:

• Clinical Investigation: Examining does, aborted foetuses, and placentas to identify signs of infectious disease.
• Disease Identification and Testing: Exploring differential diagnoses, including potential zoonotic, notifiable and exotic disease risks, and interpreting PCR, serology, and histopathology results.
• Public Health and Legal Implications: Assessing risks from raw milk and cheese production with respect to potential zoonotic and food safety impacts.
• Diagnosis and Response: Confirming diagnosis and outlining veterinary responsibilities in managing EADs; advice on control and prevention.

Enrolment

To access this training, you will need to log in to the platform, eadonline.com.au. Access is free and aimed toward veterinarians and veterinary science students, however, the modules are available to anyone with an interest in emergency animal diseases. If you are not already registered on the Emergency Animal Disease Online Training platform, then you will need to register and create a new account.

For help with the online training platform, please contact [email protected]

Funding acknowledgement

The development of this course was funded by the Australian Government’s Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, the Government’s plan for stronger farmers and a stronger economy, and the Australian Government’s Other Exotic Disease Preparedness program, to provide for the Commonwealth’s contribution to Australia’s commitment to safeguard animal health status to maintain overseas markets and protect the economy and environment from the impact of exotic pest and diseases.