Lectures for schoolchildren on foodborne zoonoses and vaccination
Associate professors of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine – Maria Galaburda (Department of Animal and Food Hygiene) and Oleksandr Martyniuk (Department of Epidemiology and Animal Health) conducted a series of interactive lectures for 8th and 9th grade students of Gymnasium No. 315 in Kyiv.
The event was held as part of Jean Monnet's project "Integration of EU One Health Policy and Principles in Ukraine" and focused on key aspects of the One Health concept.
The first part of the lecture programme focused on the problem of foodborne zoonoses – infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans through food. Students were explained how microorganisms get into food, which products are at risk and how the risk of infection can be reduced through the right choice, storage and handling of food.
Special attention was paid to vaccination as an effective way to prevent infectious diseases. The lecturers explained how vaccines work, their impact on individual and collective immunity, and debunked common myths about vaccination. The importance of vaccination for both human health and animal protection in agriculture was particularly emphasised.
In addition to the educational component, the event also served as career guidance. Teachers told schoolchildren about the profession of a veterinarian, its role in ensuring human and animal health, as well as opportunities for studying at the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine.
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Such meetings help raise awareness among young people about the importance of health sciences and help future applicants choose their career path.