Teaching Wildlife Disease Outbreak Response Through a Collaborative One Health Workshop

Area of Science:

• Wildlife disease ecology
• One Health
• Interdisciplinary collaboration

Background:

• Wildlife disease and One Health challenges require diverse expertise, often beyond single research groups.
• Students need practical experience in team-based approaches, not just theoretical knowledge of collaboration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a workshop framework for simulating wildlife disease outbreaks.
• To enhance student and professional understanding of collaborative problem-solving in wildlife health.

Main Methods:

• A one-day workshop was designed and hosted by the Colorado State University student chapter of the Wildlife Disease Association (CSU WDA).
• Students and professionals participated in a simulated wildlife disease outbreak investigation.
• Workshop content was developed by CSU WDA student members, with expert professionals leading simulation activities.

Main Results:

• The workshop successfully increased participants' knowledge across multiple disciplines including disease ecology, pathology, genetics, and microbiology.
• Participants demonstrated a greater understanding of the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing wildlife disease outbreaks.
• Pre- and post-event evaluations confirmed the workshop's effectiveness in knowledge and collaboration awareness.

Conclusions:

• The described workshop framework is an effective model for educating students and professionals on wildlife disease investigation and collaboration.
• Simulated outbreak exercises are valuable tools for enhancing practical skills and interdisciplinary teamwork in wildlife health.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for effectively managing complex wildlife disease and One Health issues.