11/10 VHP - Water Scarcity in Uganda

H1N1 Flu Confirmed in Iowa Cat

H1N1 Flu Confirmed in Iowa Cat

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0600

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) remind Iowans that in addition to protecting their families, friends and neighbors from the spread of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, it's important to remember to protect family pets from the illness, as well. People who are sick with H1N1 can spread the virus not only to humans, but to some animals.

To sign up for mailings from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services please click here

11/8 Mine - a film on the animals (and owners) of Hurricane Katrina

Mine (2009)

Geralyn Pezanoski (80 min., color, BetaSP, US)

Sunday, November 8, 7:30 pm

UW Cinematheque - 4070 Vilas Hall, 821 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706

Geralyn Pezanoski's powerful first feature film shines a light on a forgotten class of Hurricane Katrina victim - the Gulf Coast region's pets (and their owners). The film ably documents the immediate aftermath of the storm that killed or stranded over 100,000 animals and the valiant rescue efforts by volunteers from around the country. But Mine doesn't stop there. Instead, it wades into far deeper and more emotionally charged terrain, following the months of suffering and struggle since 2005 - as pets that were rescued and sent to animal shelters around the country become legally adopted by new families, even as their former families continue to search for them. There are so many tales here so skillfully and emotionally told. Victor has been desperately searching for his dog Max. Tiffany is smitten with him and couldn't imagine giving him back after rescuing him. Whose dog is Max? Gloria refused to be evacuated without her dog Murphy until finally she was forced to leave Murphy behind by the National Guard. Should she not be able to get her dog back now? Through it all hangs questions about what it means for an animal to "belong" to someone, what rights are animals entitled to, and why our relationships to animals are so powerful and yet so convoluted. A heartbreaking and powerful film, Mine clearly demonstrates how some of the greatest tragedies often emerge in the absence of villains and the presence only of good intentions and how often the simplest desire to love another being can be fraught with enormous obstacles. Winner of the Audience Award at the 2009 SXSW Festival in Austin. Filmmaker scheduled to be in attendance.

11/11 Dr. Linda Detwiler

Public and Global Health Interest Group presents:

"An Evening with a Public Health Practitioner"

Dr. Linda Detwiler, DVM

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS)

Please join us next Wednesday evening for a dinner presentation and case studies

Wednesday, November 11th
5:30 p.m.
Room 2255

*Sign-up in the computer lab for dinner!!!*

Dr. Linda A. Detwiler graduated in 1980 from the Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Dairy Science. In 1984 she received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. From 1996 to 2002, Dr. Detwiler served as the Senior Staff Veterinarian of the Emergency Programs Staff for the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS). There, she coordinated APHIS surveillance, prevention, and education activities for BSE. She also coordinated the development of a national BSE response plan. From 2002 to 2003 Dr. Detwiler was the Veterinarian in Charge of APHIS’s Veterinary Services, where she oversaw all Veterinary Service programs in the state of New Jersey.

Dr. Detwiler currently works for the the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) which recognizes that new and emerging disease pathogens—some of which might be zoonotic or exotic continue to threaten U.S. animal health. These pathogens could pose risks in the form of agroterroism, bioterroism and environmental safety and food safety problems that also can put the well-being of citizens in the United States and around the world at risk. As these threats grow and diversify, there is an increasing demand for veterinarians in the field of public practice and food supply veterinary medicine. In response to these challenges, APHIS–VS has embarked on a partnership with Mississippi State University to provide experiential learning opportunities for students during summers, breaks and open rotations. Dr. Linda Detwiler, from the Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, Mississippi State University leads the program, coordinates the externship program for veterinary students, advertises internships and jobs, hosts a government career symposium at the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) and develops outreach materials for the program.

Global Health Essay Contest - Due 11/20

The Commission on Smart Global Health is seeking answers to the question:
What is the most important thing the US can do to improve global health over the next 15 years?
In 500-800 words, we want to hear what students have to say about fresh, innovative approaches to the important challenges we face in global health. Students at all levels, from undergraduate to medical and professional students, are eligible.
The author of the first-place essay will receive a $1,000 scholarship and be published in the Commission's final report, while the second-place entrant will receive a $500 scholarship. There will also be $1,000 and $500 prizes for the first and second-place entries by non-students.
Complete details, including contest rules, can be found at: http://www.smartglobalhealth.org/CUGHessays
Contact the Commission with questions at dporter@csis.org or at (330) 605-5740.

12/8: WI State Lab of Hygiene Scientific Seminar Strengthening the Public Health Laboratory Network in Botswana

WI State Lab of Hygiene Scientific Seminar
Strengthening the Public Health Laboratory Network in Botswana

In Botswana, where an estimated 17% of the country’s 1.8 million people are infected with HIV, inadequate laboratory systems represented a major barrier to mounting a successful HIV control program. Since 2001, WSLH Epidemiologist John Pfister has been working periodically as a consultant to assist the CDC and the Botswana Ministry of Health strengthen the nation’s public health laboratory network. John will describe the challenges, accomplishments, and ongoing activities of this international partnership.

Tuesday, Dec. 8^th, Noon – 1 PM

State Lab of Hygiene, Stovall Building, 465 Henry Mall (corner of Henry Mall and Linden)

Global Health Seminar Series: "Perspective on Pandemic Influenza: Views from Microscopic to Global" 11/17

"Perspective on Pandemic Influenza:
Views from Microscopic to Global"

Christopher Olsen, DVM, PhD
Professor and Associate Dean, School of Veterinary Medicine
UW-Madison

Wednesday, November 17
5:00-6:00pm
Room 1345 Health Sciences Learning Center
FALL 2009 SEMINAR SERIES
Health Sciences Learning Center: Room 1345
The 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus has been shown to be
evolutionarily related to swine influenza viruses containing
genes of classical swine, avian and human virus lineages. These
findings have refocused interest on pigs as intermediary hosts in
the movement of influenza viruses between different host spe-
cies. This presentation will provide historical and virological per-
spective on the mechanisms by which pandemic influenza viruses
emerge, and consider the public health and societal issues to be
faced by human populations around the globe.