Department of Epizootiology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health

Characteristics of the department

Department of Epizootiology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health consists of the workplace of epizootiology and workplace of parasitology. Epizootology, infectology and parasitology belong into the disciplines with the most dynamic development. Over the past decades, through the prevention and elimination of diseases and the widespread progress of medical and biological sciences, the retreat of major infectious animal diseases was recorded. On the other hand, the epizootiological situation in the regions, states and continents is complicated by the occurrence of selected and new infectious diseases. Extensive international trade contributes to the globalization of many diseases, that leads to an increase of the risk of introducing exotic diseases.
Epizootiology focuses on the study, evaluation of epidemiological analysis and risk assessment of selected infectious diseases of productive, social and wildlife animals. The study of the properties of classical and newly discovered etiological agents of infectious diseases of animals involves a study of their pathogenesis and mutual synergistic influencing. In the diagnostics of infectious diseases, the workplace uses the latest molecular-genetic methods, microorganism identification methods, viral genome analysis and genetic typing of viruses. Great attention is focused on the prevention and reduction of infectious diseases of animals, improving immunoprophylaxis methods that brings significant economic benefits and improvements in animal welfare. The relationships between infectious diseases of animals and humans are studied and analyzed. The workplace contributes significantly to ensuring the public health of the human population.
Parasitology belongs to rapidly developing disciplines. The introducing of the new methods of cell-level study contributes to solving animal and human parasitic diseases. Parasitic diseases of farm and social animals cause hundred thousand losses every year. The study of parasitology focuses on the universal knowledge of parasite-host relationships at all levels (morphological, physiological, genetic, molecular and pathogenic transmission of parasitic arthropods). The aim of this study is to prepare graduates to be able to correctly diagnose and solve parasitological problems at both individual and livestock herd levels, which ultimately leads to the maintenance of healthy animals and food.