On March 20 experts in infectious diseases and on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in animals will convene a daylong symposium at The Ohio State University to explore the human and animal health threats posed by this emerging health problem. Health workers are aware that MRSA can be transferred from person to person; they might be less aware of the risks posed to animals by human transmission, and they might not know that animals can transfer the pathogen to humans.

Experts at the symposium will present a description of this pathogen and of other methicillin-resistant Staphylococci, as well as offer a summary of their epidemiology and impact on humans and animals. The symposium is targeted to both human health professionals and animal health professionals. This "One Health, One Medicine" approach to studying these pathogens offers a broader understanding of the impact of the diseases in the human health setting, as well as veterinary setting.

The two featured keynote speakers are Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, Dipl. ACVIM, who is recognized internationally for his work on MRSA in animals, and Paul Morley, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, an infectious diseases control expert. Weese will provide a worldwide MRSA update; Morley will describe handling MRSA cases to decrease the risk of diseases transmission in veterinary settings.

Registration for the symposium is available at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Office of Veterinary Continuing Education. Online registration requires establishing a log-in name and password. Cost for the full-day meeting is $60 ($35 for students). Registration can also be mailed or faxed. A downloadable PDF of a brochure is also available. For more information and links to both methods of registration, please visit the Office of Veterinary Continuing Education Web site