Emergency Animal Disease Training – Case Study 2: Lethargic backyard chooks

About the course

In this module, you’ll explore a real-world case study of lethargy within a free-range poultry flock in Queensland. 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 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 for private veterinarians in the detection, investigation, reporting, and response to EAD events
• know where to source technical resources on EADs.

Following this case study, you should additionally be refreshed on the clinical features of some potential EADs in backyard poultry, and understand the emergency response pathway that would follow the diagnosis of an EAD in a backyard poultry flock.

Course content

Participants work through a realistic scenario involving lethargy within a small flock of free-range chickens in Queensland. The module guides learners through:

• Clinical Assessment and Initial Management: Clinical assessment covers history, examination, and initial treatment decisions, including client advice on home care and zoonotic risks.
• Differential Diagnosis and Disease Recognition: the development of a differential diagnosis list, including zoonotic, notifiable, and exotic diseases, with emphasis on recognising signs of emergency animal diseases (EADs).
• Reporting and Diagnostic Protocols: the legal obligation and process for reporting suspected EADs, including contacting the EAD Hotline, sample collection, and coordination with diagnostic laboratories.
• Veterinary Roles and Biosecurity Responsibilities: the role of private veterinarians in EAD responses, including biosecurity measures on-farm and in mixedspecies settings, and outlines collaboration with government authorities.
• Outbreak Response and Reference Resources: the application of AUSVETPLAN in outbreak scenarios and links to national guidelines and technical references for further learning.

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.