Bioterrorism Preparedness: Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Public Health Surveillance

Course Description:

In recent years, infectious disease epidemics such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and SARS in both industrialized and developing countries have underscored the importance of infectious disease control and prevention. The understanding of infectious disease epidemiology is cardinal to prevention and control strategies. Also, public health surveillance has never been more vital than the present when the potential use of infectious agents as a bioterrorism tool poses an ever-increasing danger to public health.

This course will introduce participants to basic concepts and terminology of infectious disease epidemiology and public health surveillance. Course topics include: key characteristics of microbial agents and their common modes of transmission; measures of association between disease and exposure; common study designs in observational research; sensitivity and specificity and its application to infectious disease diagnosis; types and sources of data, and uses of infectious disease surveillance systems.

Target Audience

Academic Faculty/Staff, Federal Government Employees, State Government Employees, Local Government Employees, Non-Government Employees and Students

Learning Objectives

  • Define epidemiology and its uses
  • Describe key characteristics of microbial agents and their common modes of transmission
  • Understand measures of association between disease and exposure
  • Identify common study designs in observational research
  • Define sensitivity and specificity and its application to infectious disease diagnosis
  • Describe the types, sources of data, and uses of infectious disease surveillance systems
  • Become familiar with existing disease surveillance systems in the country
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 6.00 Participation/CE
    Tulane Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) awards 6.00 hour(s) of credit for completing Bioterrorism Preparedness: Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Public Health Surveillance
Course opens: 
10/20/2021
Course expires: 
01/01/2040
Cost:
$0.00
Rating: 
0

Instructors:

Sten H. Vermund

Sten H. Vermund, MD, PhD
Professor
Department of Epidemiology
School of Public Health
University of Alabama at Birmingham

 

H. Michael Maetz

H. Michael Maetz, VMD, MPHProfessor
Department of Epidemiology
School of Public Health
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Available Credit

  • 6.00 Participation/CE
    Tulane Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) awards 6.00 hour(s) of credit for completing Bioterrorism Preparedness: Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Public Health Surveillance

Price

Cost:
$0.00
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Required Hardware/software

System Settings 
This course is designed to work most effectively if your computer and internet connection meet certain minimal requirements. This course can be accessed using a Windows 10 PC or a Mac with High Sierra1, Mojave, or Catalina. Pop-up blockers should be disabled when viewing the course. Internet Explorer 11 (for Windows 10), or the current version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari (for Windows 10 and or Mac) is required. Many of our courses require Java and JavaScript enabled. 

Links to External Websites   
Links to websites outside this course will open in a new window or tab. Some browsers may minimize the course window. If this occurs, maximize the course window to return to the course. 

Adobe Acrobat Reader (for desktops and laptops)  
Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to access some documents in this course. If you need to download a free copy of Acrobat Reader, click here.  

Internet Connection Speed 
A minimum download speed of 1.5 Mbps is recommended for an optimal experience, which is commonly the speed associated with a basic DSL or a cellular/satellite connection. A faster connection, such as cable or fiber service, with further enhance your online experience. A Wi-Fi connection is generally acceptable, but it is dependent upon one of the two services mentioned above. You can check your internet connection speed at http://www.speedtest.net/.