Emergency Preparedness Training for Veterinarians: Prevention of Zoonotic Transmission

Abstract

Natural zoonotic outbreaks can cause widespread devastation, and several zoonoses can be transmitted as agents of bioterrorism. Although veterinarians can be vital in controlling the transmission of zoonotic diseases, many lack knowledge about their roles in emergency response and about zoonoses. A training session titled "Prevention of Zoonotic Disease Transmission" was provided for New York veterinarians. The training was evaluated using pre-training, post-training, and follow-up surveys, which measured increase in and retention of knowledge. Seventy-five (75) veterinary professionals participated in the training, and 91% responded on pre- and post-training surveys. The percentage of respondents who correctly answered the objective knowledge questions increased from pre-training to post-training. Furthermore, follow-up surveys demonstrated that participants were able to retain much of the information from the training session. Very little research has been found that evaluates a similar training event. As knowledge increases, additional training conferences could benefit veterinarians and supplement this research. The results of the pre-training, post-training, and follow-up surveys indicate that veterinary professionals' knowledge of zoonoses can be significantly improved after receiving training; participants found the training to be useful and requested additional training, indicating that veterinary professionals have a desire to learn about emergency preparedness topics.