MASTER OF VETERINARY EPIDEMIOLOGY AND ECONOMICS

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this programme, the learner should be able to:

1. Apply epidemiological and economic tools, concepts and approaches to carry out disease surveillance and management
2. Analyse the effectiveness of various disease control and prevention strategies
3. Evaluate and prioritize animal health delivery approaches under different livestock systems and ecological zones.

COURSE DURATION: Two (2) years

PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy of this programme is geared towards producing general veterinary practitioners. However, the needs of the animal resources sector also require field and administrative personnel specialized in veterinary epidemiology and economics who can contribute by advising relevant government departments and agencies on effective policies for disease control and prevention. This is an objective which is in line with the country vision 2030 when Kenyan is expected to achieve a middle-level income, and therefore self-sufficiency in food production. This is in line with the University of Nairobi’s mission of providing quality education and support for research and community service to the Kenyan people

RATIONALE

Livestock diseases are currently considered as a major barrier to trade for livestock products from Kenya and other sub-Saharan African counties to the World markets, and therefore they contribute directly to the loss of income both to the farming communities and the nations through reduced income and loss of foreign exchange earnings, respectively. Additionally, globalization has brought challenges since disease outbreaks in other parts of the World can easily be introduced into any susceptible country through the increased movement of people, animal and their products, while a country like Kenya which has several kilometres of porous borders with its neighbours will continue to be at high risk of receiving infectious diseases through these border crossings.

The programme will ensure we produce graduates who can contribute to national and regional development through effective disease control and prevention through the collection, collation and evaluation of data on animal diseases both at County and national levels, advising governments on the present and future disease control policies, evaluation of the effectiveness of animal health and disease control programmes, conducting field-based research, and participation in emergency preparedness and response to transboundary animal diseases, pandemics and other One Health Challenges. Need assessment for the review of this curriculum was undertaken and it involved stakeholders from both public and private sectors.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this programme, the learner should be able to:

1. Apply epidemiological and economic tools, concepts and approaches to carry out disease surveillance and management
2. Analyse the effectiveness of various disease control and prevention strategies
3. Evaluate and prioritize animal health delivery approaches under different livestock systems and ecological zones
4. Formulate disease control and prevention policies under different livestock systems and ecological zones

Contacts for support: 

Department of Public Health Pharmacology & Toxicology

Tel:      +254-020-4916015

Email: dept-publichealth@uonbi.ac.ke