What are the lessons learned from H1N1, how can we best prevent and prepare for another flu pandemic, and what lies ahead? The School of Public Health will host a symposium Nov. 12 that brings together world influenza experts who will grapple with these questions and their answers.
“Influenza as a Global Concern: Where Do We Go From Here?” will honor the career of Arnold Monto, professor of epidemiology at SPH. The symposium, set for 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m., features a presentation from Nancy Cox, director of the Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as a lineup of experts from around the country who will discuss critical issues in influenza research.
The World Health Organization has stated that a severe influenza pandemic is the “most feared security threat” facing the world today. Since emerging in spring 2009, the novel influenza A (H1N1), while not as severe as some past pandemics, has caused sickness and death in younger age groups and growing societal concern.
Monto is an internationally known expert on the flu and works extensively with national and international organizations on influenza issues. He was a member of the WHO Influenza Pandemic Task Force and led the studies of respiratory illness in Tecumseh, Mich., a landmark study of infection in the community started by Thomas Francis. Monto is involved in assessing efficacy of various types of vaccine in prophylaxis and antivirals in therapy of influenza.
Others speakers include: Allison McGeer, Department of Microbiology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto Invasive Bacterial Diseases Network; Albert Osterhaus, Department of Virology, Erasmus MC; Trish Perl, Department of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control, Johns Hopkins Medicine; and Derek Smith, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, England.
The symposium will be in SPH II Auditorium; a reception will follow at 4 p.m. in SPH I Community Room across the street.
The deadline to register for this free event is today (Nov. 1). For more information or to register go to sitemaker.umich.edu/thomasfrancissymposium/home.
