65873 - Health and Hygiene in Aquaculture

Learning outcomes

Main aim of the course is to provide to the student a good knowledge about health issues in aquaculture and related strategies for their diagnosis, prevention and control. In particular, the student should be able to demonstrate that he has acquired a good knowledge useful for:

- identifying the major transmissible diseases of farmed aquatic animals, the related diagnostic techniques and different methods of prevention and control;

- planning biosecurity measures necessary to prevent the onset and spread of transmissible diseases in fish farms in order to ensure animal health and quality of fish products;

- assessing the potential public health aspects related to transmissible diseases in aquaculture. 

The course is part of an integrated course whose main goal is to provide students with in-depth knowledge of the health issues, including public health implications, of farmed terrestrial and aquatic species and the related prophylaxis and control strategies

Course contents

SPECIFIC COURSE PREREQUISITES

For a better understanding of the content covered in the course of Health and Hygiene in Aquaculture, it is recommended that students have already acquired basic knowledge of the anatomy and systematics of the most commonly farmed fish species.

SPECIFIC COURSE CONTENT

The course is structured as follows:

Theoretical lectures:

GENERAL PART (8 hours)

Transmissible diseases in aquaculture: general principles and impact (4 hours)

Regulatory Framework: Animal Health Law; Aquatic Code and Aquatic Manual (2 hours)

Biosecurity in Aquaculture (2 hours)

SPECIAL SECTION (8 hours)

Health and Hygiene in Mariculture (4 hours)

Health and Hygiene in Trout Farming (4 hours)

LABORATORY TRAINING ACTIVITIES (24 hours)

Diagnostic Approach to transmissible diseases in Mariculture (6 hours)

Diagnostic Approach to transmissible diseases in Trout Farming (6 hours)

Diagnostic Approach to Fish-borne Parasitic Zoonoses (6 hours)

Integrated Approach to the Control of transmissible diseases in Aquaculture (6 hours)

Readings/Bibliography

Notes by the teacher on Virtuale Platform

Suggested references:

Diagnosis and Control of Diseases of Fish and Shellfish (2017). Eds Austin B. & Newaj-Fyzul A., Wiley, UK

Aquaculture Biosecurity. Prevention, control and eradication of aquatic animal disease (2006). Eds. Scarfe e coll., Blackwell Publ.

OIE Aquatic Animal Health Code and OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals (last edition online www.oie.int)

Scientific Opinion on risk assessment of parasites in fishery products (EFSA, 2010):

https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1543

https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.9090

https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.9090

Teaching methods

There are 40 hours of lessons.

The course consists of theoretical lessons and practical lab activiites laboratories and it is divided as follows:

General part (lectures) in which the main factors affecting the emergence of communicable diseases in the different fish farming systems, the economic impact deriving from communicable diseases in aquaculture, the current national and international legislation relating to communicable diseases of aquatic animals and the planning and application of a Biosecurity plan in the different farming systems are addressed.

Special Part (lectures) in which the prophylaxis and control measures applied specifically to the main communicable diseases of farmed marine and aquatic fish and functional to the sustainability of fish production are explored; In addition, the public health implications of fish communicable diseases sustained by zoonotic agents and the aspects of disinfection, therapy and vaccination in aquaculture are taken into consideration

Practical part in the laboratory and, when possible, activities on the farm in which the correct diagnostic approach to the main communicable diseases of fish farms and parasitic zoonoses of fish origin is developed and learned.

In consideration of the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, the attendance of this training activity requires passing modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode, and passing module 3 of specific training on safety and health in the workplace. Information on the dates and methods of attendance of module 2 can be found in the appropriate section of the Degree Programme website. To participate in the exercise and laboratory activities, it is mandatory to wear a suitable gown and footwear. PPE suitable for carrying out the specific activities will be provided, such as disposable latex gloves.

Assessment methods

The assessment of the learning of the Integrated Course "Health of Animal Production" consists of an oral exam for each of the two courses.

For the course "Health and Hygiene of fish farms" the oral exam consists of the presentation of a topic chosen by the student as part of those studied during the course and a question formulated by the teacher, both aimed at the acquisition of the expected knowledge by the candidate. The exam lasts about 30 minutes.

The exam is considered passed if the student has obtained a positive result in all the tests and the final score is given by the arithmetic average of the marks obtained in the two parts of the exam, expressed in thirtieths.

The student must obtain a minimum final grade of 18/30.

In the evaluation of the oral exam, the teacher refers to the following learning evaluation scale:

- Preparation on a very limited number of topics covered in the course and analytical skills that emerge only with the help of the teacher, expression in generally correct language → 18-22;

- Preparation on a limited number of topics covered in the course and ability to analyze autonomously only on purely executive issues, expression in correct language → 23-26;

- Preparation on a large number of topics covered in the course, ability to make autonomous choices of critical analysis, proper use of specific terminology → 27-29;

- Substantially exhaustive preparation on the topics covered in the course, ability to make autonomous choices of critical analysis and connection, full mastery of specific terminology and ability to argue and self-reflect → 30-30L.

The negative evaluation does not entail the attribution of a score, but only a note (withdrawn or rejected) reported on the electronic report completed on AlmaEsami, therefore it does not affect the student's career.

The evaluations of the individual tests and the final score of the exam will be published on the platform AlmaEsami (http://almaesami.unibo.it/) within 5 working days from the date of the exam.

The student can refuse the grade by communicating it to the recording teacher via e-mail within 5 working days.

The verbalizing teacher of this course is Prof. Antonietta Di Francesco

Students can register for exam sessions through AlmaEsami (http://almaesami.unibo.it/).

Exams are proposed within the windows planned within the teaching calendar. Additional exam sessions are reserved for students who are not on track with the course.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended to contact the responsible University office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ). It will be the responsibility of proposing any adaptations to the students concerned, which must in any case be submitted, 15 days in advance, to the approval of the teacher, who will evaluate the opportunity also in relation to the educational objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations or similar software, explanatory videos, periodic anonymous self-assessment tests at the end of the various topics covered in the course, conducted in the presence of the teacher with collective discussion of the results.

Equipment used: PC video projector, PC with internet connection, Teaching laboratory equipped for supplementary teaching activities.

In case of difficulty in understanding the topic, the teacher is available to receive the student for a clarification by appointment via email.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Gustinelli