Welcome to the Department of Infectious Diseases

The threat to animal and public health posed by viral, bacterial and parasitic infectious diseases is a matter of grave concern. These diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming at least 17 million human lives, and indeterminable numbers of domesticated and wild animals each year. Most, but not all, of these infections are zoonotic, including almost all bio-terror agents and most emerging diseases.

Infectious diseases not only place a great strain on the already stretched public and animal health services, but also add to the socio-economic burden of the rich and the poor. These agents also impact global security by affecting food supplies for an increasing world population, access to international trade and economic growth, and raise concerns for potential use as pathogens in bioterrorism. Click here to read our full mission statement.

Our Objectives Are:

• To provide the highest level of education to veterinarians, research scientists, teachers, and decision-makers as to the basic cause, immune response, etiology, transmission, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic diseases.
• To train graduate and professional students in advanced research technologies leading to improved health for the animals and people of Georgia, the United States and all nations.
• To develop new technologies, strengthen capacities and disseminate information leading to the control and prevention of infectious diseases in animal and public health constituencies.