17.09.2015PhD opportunity - Equine Biosafety

Equine infectious diseases, including endemic diseases such as Strangles and Equine Herpes Virus, represent a major welfare concern and result in considerable financial losses. Additionally, the threat of incursion of exotic equine infectious diseases to the UK is a significant concern. Biosecurity encompasses a range of hygiene and management practices, designed to reduce the introduction of infectious agents and to control their spread within populations or facilities.

The first phase of this study will determine awareness and perceptions of biosecurity via a survey of randomly selected British horse-owners. In phase two, a subset of respondents will receive a site visit, including detailed evaluation of biosecurity facilities and premises spatial layout. This phase will be vital for obtaining accurate information about the facilities and current biosecurity practices on participating premises, and will inform the development of a practical biosecurity assessment tool for veterinary surgeons in phase three.

This is a three year fully funded studentship, supported by the Horse Trust, and is open to Home/EU applicants only. The successful candidate will be registered with the RVC and based at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket.

For details please consult: Project deails on "Find a PhD"