Parasites, people and pets
McGill's Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions holds public lecture series
Don't let parasites bug you. Getting information about them and how they interact in our daily lives can help put some of your concerns at ease. That is one of the goals of the Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions. On September 20, the Centre is holding a public lecture to explain how parasites and hosts act together.
- When: 7 pm – 9 pm, Tuesday, September 20
- Where: Redpath Museum, 859 Sherbrooke Street West
- Information: Dr. Jim Smith, 514-398-7726
Speakers:
Dr. Gaetan Faubert, Institute of Parasitology, McGill University
"Parasites in Water and Public Health"
Until recently, bacteria and viruses were the only infectious agents on the list of pathogens that affected the quality of our drinking water. Today, this list has been extended to include protozoa, worms and even insects that act as a vehicle in the transmission of parasitic and other infectious diseases. This lecture will focus on the parasites that affect surface water used for drinking or for recreational purposes. Dr. Faubert will also discuss the origin of these parasites and the diseases they cause.
Dr. Alain Villeneuve, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal
"Parasites of Companion Animals"
Our pets have parasites. And this can have severe consequences not only on the pet's health but the owner's as well. Having a better understanding of what these parasites are and how they breed helps to reduce the chances of transmitting diseases from pets to owners. Dr. Villeneuve will discuss ways to protect and preserve health when taking care of pets.
For the last three years the Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions has brought together researchers from McGill, Université Laval, Université de Montréal, Institut Armand Frappier, UQAM and LSPQ to promote their work across Quebec and around the world. The members of the Centre aim to use their knowledge to better design vaccines and drugs to control parasitic diseases and to develop better diagnostic methods. The Centre is funded by the Fonds Québécois de la recherche sur la nature et les technologies (FQRNT).
Media wishing to interview either of the speakers or the Director of the Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions can contact communications officer Rita Kotzia at 514-398-6751 or rita.kotzia [at] mcgill.ca (by email).
