Workshops on preventing, responding to disease outbreaks set for two locations in Southwest Missouri

University of Missouri Extension will hold five workshops throughout the state on preventing and responding to disease outbreaks.

Teng Lim, MU Extension agricultural engineer, says government groups have collaborated to bring an awareness of diseases that threaten the health of food animals and wildlife.

In recent years, emerging threats have included porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv), which has killed at least 8 million pigs since 2013, and the H5N2 avian flu that led to the loss of 48 million birds last year.

Rapid response to new diseases can prevent or limit negative impact to animal health, the economy, food security and public health according to Lim.

“What kind of financial shortage could be caused by such an outbreak? Come talk with the regulators and experts,” said Lim.

MU Extension, North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center, Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division and Missouri Department of Natural Resources are sponsoring the one-day workshop.

Workshops will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on the following dates:

March 13. Neosho, Williams Agricultural Science Center, Crowder College.

March 14. Buffalo, O’Bannon Community Center, 315 E. Ramsey.

March 17: Jackson, MU Extension Center in Cape Girardeau County, 684 W. Jackson Trail.

March 20: Sedalia, Pork Place, Missouri State Fairgrounds.

March 24: Kirksville, Missouri Department of Conservation Northeast Regional Office, 3500 S. Baltimore St.

Preregistration is required. There is a $25 fee per person for materials, lunch and refreshments. Each registrant will receive a USB flash drive containing biosecurity information.

A printable flier and registration form is available online at http://bit.ly/PreventingOutbreaks.

To register, send the completed form and a check payable to University of Missouri to Misty Grant, 207 Agricultural Engineering Building, Columbia, MO 65211-5200. Register by Feb. 24.