Editorial

The 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic was a stark reminder of the many gaps that remain in our understanding of the pathogenesis and management of severe influenza. This recent experience, coupled with new knowledge of the potential transmissibility of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1), demands a renewed focus on the management of severe influenza.                                       

The Conference Severe Influenza: Burden, Pathogenesis and Management will provide a forum for leading experts to present their research and discuss all aspects of severe influenza, including its epidemiology and clinical manifestations, viral and host factors in pathogenesis, and management, including the role of antivirals and other interventions in mitigating disease severity, as well as the problem of antiviral resistance.
 

Objectives

The meeting will cover issues relevant to Asian countries with a particular emphasis on clinical management of severe influenza and related respiratory viral infections. It will be of interest to clinicians, public health specialists and medical scientists.

 

Program

Burden of severe influenza and SARI 

Influenza Pathogenesis and Acute Lung Injury (immunopathogenesis; mechanisms of severe 

illness by H5N1 and pandemic 2009 H1N1 viruses; host genetic factors; virus-bacteria interactions) 

Speakers

Organizing committee

Conference Chairman - Alan Hay
National Institute for Medical Research
Mill Hill
London, UK

Chairman - Mai Le
National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology
Hanoi
Viet Nam

Peter Horby
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit
Hanoi
Viet Nam

Arnold Monto
University of Michigan School of Public Health
Ann Arbor, MI
USA    

John Nicholls
Hong Kong University
Hong Kong
China

Dung Tham
National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE)
Hanoi
Viet Nam   

John Watson
Heath Protection Agency
London
United Kingdom

Maria Zambon
Heath Protection Agency
London
United Kingdom   

Scientific committee

Chairman - Frederick Hayden
University of Virginia School of Medicine
Virginia
USA

Jeremy Farrar
Wellcome Unit Viet Nam/ Oxford University Clinical Research Unit Viet Nam (OUCRU)
Ho Chi Minh City
Viet Nam

Tran Nyguen Hien
National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE)
Hanoi
Viet Nam
    
Tran Tinh Hien
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit Vietnam (OUCRU)
In partnership with
Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HTD)
Ho Chi Minh City
Viet Nam

Peter Oppenshaw
National  Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College
London. UK    

Nikki Shindo
World Health Organisation
Geneva
Switzerland    

Norio Sugaya
Keiyu Hospital
Yokohama
Japan    
 

Abstract Submission

The Scientific Committee invites co-authors to submit abstracts of original research papers for oral and poster presentation in the following areas:

    Severe influenza and SARI epidemiology

    SARI pathogenesis - viral and host factors

    Influenza in risk populations (e.g. pregnancy, immunocompromised hosts)

    Clinical management

    Influenza antivirals - effectiveness; safety; national policies; novel agents

    Antiviral resistance and its consequences

    Diagnostics - assays; algorithms; prognostic tools

    Adjunctive SARI therapies and critical care strategies

    Antivirals and therapeutics for other respiratory viral infection

The deadline for submission of abstracts is Friday 27th July 2012.