Introduction

This Anipedia-hosted chapter is an extract from a comprehensive textbook compiled by expert parasitologists at the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria. The chapter was written by Prof Joop Boomker, a leading parasitologist in this, and various other fields of helminthology. The chapter was included in the helminthology textbook due to the increasing numbers of wildlife veterinarians and farming activity with wild animals in South Africa, whether for conservation or economic purposes.

Who Should Enrol

Veterinary, para-veterinary and allied animal and human health professionals and students

Course Design

Online CPD activity

Course Content

Module 1 Helminth infections of wildlife

Course Highlights

The online information for the CPD course on this species account provides an overview of the subject; it is introduced by a discussion on the epidemiology of helminths in free living animals, which is more complex and even more interesting than that of parasites of livestock and other domestic animals. Subsequent sections deal with helminths of the different wildlife groups including selected helminthoses of antelope, suids, carnivores, and zebra. The species sections follow a systematic approach through the body as would be done on an autopsy. The chapter concludes with some discussion on the control of helminths in wild animals.

Learning Outcomes

The questions for this chapter were developed by Dr Pamela Oberem, editor of the book and a veterinarian involved with wildlife farming. The questions are aimed at ensuring easy assimilation of the chapter contents, focusing on some theoretical concepts as well as some practical issues. By varying the answers provided to include aspects of the issues below, students are forced to focus on this without really being aware of the process.

The questions aim to do this by testing knowledge on:

  • The concept of the ecology and epidemiology of helminth parasites of wildlife
  • Some potentially important helminth infections in captive and farmed species
  • Potential zoonoses transmitted by wildlife
  • Anatomical location of some parasites
  • Desirability of control in wildlife species

Assessment

This course has a multiple-choice test.

Accreditation

South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)

1 CPD Point

AC/0116/20

Certification

In order to qualify for CPD points, the learner will be required to complete the course and pass the multiple-choice test with 80%.




1.0 CPD Points