Multiple health agencies have teamed up to offer free, online courses that are geared towards educating Iowa youth on animal diseases and bio-security. The Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, created two interactive classes, one designed for elementary-age kids and another for middle and high school students. Animal agriculture plays a large role in the state’s economy and culture, and more than 100,000 Iowa youth participate in 4-H or FFA. The agencies say it is important for these kids to understand how animal-related disease outbreaks, such as influenza and E. coli, spread during county fairs and cattle shows and can result in severe illness in humans. In addition to the classes, free and interactive materials are also available through the online program. A link to the classes and resources can be found included with this story on our website.
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