VETS20019 Frontiers in Veterinary Science End of
Semester Exam Practice exam questions answer 2027
University of Melbourne
VETS2001G Frontiers in Veterinary Science
End of semester exam
Practice exam questions
Ǫuestion 1 (12 minutes/ 10 marks)
Australia classifies itself as ‘rabies-free’, yet a few international virologists question
whether this is strictly correct. Explain the basis for this ambiguity and explain in what
way the practical manifestation of any rabies-like disease is very different in Australia to
countries overseas where rabies is generally classified as endemic.
Answer guidance/key points for response:
• Australia has the Australian bat lyssavirus
• Bats are the reservoir host
• The virus is genetically very close to the rabies virus, and the outcome of human
infection is the same
• Administration of standard rabies vaccine appears protective against Australian bat
lyssavirus in humans
• The virus/disease does behave differently to (classical) rabies in some important
respects:
, — Human infection is incredibly rare – only 3 people are known to have been
infected
— All 3 people are understood to have become infected through direct contact
(bite, scratch) from bats
— Thus – there is no transmission via other affected animals (e.g. dingos), and
no sustained transmission among wildlife or domestic dogs to provide an
ongoing human and animal risk
— (Two horses are known to have been infected)
Ǫuestion 2 (12 minutes/ 10 marks)
For several years, Victoria had ‘breed-specific’ legislation, armed at reducing the risk of
aggressive acts by dogs towards humans or other dogs by placing restrictions on certain
breeds. These laws have now been replaced. Explain why breed-specific legislation may
be relatively ineffective at addressing issues of severe dog aggression.
Answer guidance/key points for response:
• Breeds exist as a continuum within the one species, and it can be difficult or
impossible to determine the ‘breed’ of a particular animal.
— For some breeds, no agreed ‘breed standards’ exist
• Dog aggression is linked to many factors – and environmental inffuences (previous
experience etc) are strong
— there may be behavioural differences between breeds, but we have not
discovered major genes for aggression
Semester Exam Practice exam questions answer 2027
University of Melbourne
VETS2001G Frontiers in Veterinary Science
End of semester exam
Practice exam questions
Ǫuestion 1 (12 minutes/ 10 marks)
Australia classifies itself as ‘rabies-free’, yet a few international virologists question
whether this is strictly correct. Explain the basis for this ambiguity and explain in what
way the practical manifestation of any rabies-like disease is very different in Australia to
countries overseas where rabies is generally classified as endemic.
Answer guidance/key points for response:
• Australia has the Australian bat lyssavirus
• Bats are the reservoir host
• The virus is genetically very close to the rabies virus, and the outcome of human
infection is the same
• Administration of standard rabies vaccine appears protective against Australian bat
lyssavirus in humans
• The virus/disease does behave differently to (classical) rabies in some important
respects:
, — Human infection is incredibly rare – only 3 people are known to have been
infected
— All 3 people are understood to have become infected through direct contact
(bite, scratch) from bats
— Thus – there is no transmission via other affected animals (e.g. dingos), and
no sustained transmission among wildlife or domestic dogs to provide an
ongoing human and animal risk
— (Two horses are known to have been infected)
Ǫuestion 2 (12 minutes/ 10 marks)
For several years, Victoria had ‘breed-specific’ legislation, armed at reducing the risk of
aggressive acts by dogs towards humans or other dogs by placing restrictions on certain
breeds. These laws have now been replaced. Explain why breed-specific legislation may
be relatively ineffective at addressing issues of severe dog aggression.
Answer guidance/key points for response:
• Breeds exist as a continuum within the one species, and it can be difficult or
impossible to determine the ‘breed’ of a particular animal.
— For some breeds, no agreed ‘breed standards’ exist
• Dog aggression is linked to many factors – and environmental inffuences (previous
experience etc) are strong
— there may be behavioural differences between breeds, but we have not
discovered major genes for aggression
