PATH to help spotlight needs of low-income countries at world's largest influenza conference

Influenza experts from around the globe will convene in Hong Kong from September 3 to 7, 2010, to participate in Options for the Control of Influenza VII—the world’s largest international conference dedicated to influenza. PATH is cosponsoring this premier conference, which will examine the latest advancements in the influenza field and provide guidance on issues surrounding influenza prevention, control, and treatment, as well as seasonal and pandemic planning strategies. PATH and our partners are taking this exciting opportunity to bring the needs of low-income countries into focus.

We have sponsored a limited number of travel scholarships that will enable influenza researchers from low-income countries to participate in the conference.

Our on-site exhibition will share information about our multiple influenza vaccine initiatives, including:

• Work to advance the development of affordable and accessible pandemic influenza vaccines for low-resource countries.
• Research to determine appropriate influenza vaccine solutions for tropical settings in Africa.
• Support to help emerging-country manufacturers produce influenza vaccines for pandemic preparedness.

Presentations from PATH partners during the conference will offer further snapshots from some of our influenza vaccine collaborations. Dr. Kathleen Neuzil, director of our influenza vaccine work, will co-chair a workshop on influenza epidemiology, disease burden, and health economics that will include perspectives from both high- and low-resource settings. The workshop, one of a series of concurrent scientific sessions, will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, September 3. That same day, Dr. Rick Bright of PATH will deliver a presentation on research funding. On Saturday, September 4 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., he will also co-chair a workshop entitled “Vaccines” that will review current and novel vaccines for both seasonal and pandemic influenza, as well as universal influenza vaccine development.

Visit us at Booth 12 in the exhibition hall for more information about our diverse influenza vaccine program. Several members of our influenza team will be at the conference and available to provide information.

Influenza is a virus that causes mild to severe respiratory illness and can lead to death in vulnerable populations. It occurs in seasonal patterns worldwide, causing 250,000 to 500,000 deaths and up to five million cases of severe illness each year. If a highly virulent pandemic strain were to emerge in today’s interconnected world, influenza could have the potential to kill millions of people, mostly in low-resource countries. Global health leaders agree that vaccines are the best way to prevent influenza infection.

• Our work on influenza vaccines.
• Options for the Control of Influenza VII conference website.