Conference set May 24 on Responding to an Influenza Pandemic in the Americas

WHAT: A conference, “Responding to an Influenza Pandemic in the Americas,” organized by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Experts from U.S. and international health and development agencies will discuss the dual threats of bird flu and pandemic influenza and efforts to prepare the Western Hemisphere for their arrival.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 24, from 9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: CSIS, 1800 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

WHO: Peter DeShazo, director of the Americas Program, CSIS; Dr. Carissa Etienne, assistant director, PAHO; Hon. Paula Dobriansky, undersecretary of state for global affairs, U.S. Department of State; Dr. Marlo Libel, regional advisor in communicable diseases, PAHO; Sandy Mackenzie, assistant director, Research Department, IMF; Barb Graff, director of emergency management, City of Seattle, Washington; Dr. François Paquet, head physician, Quebec Department of Health and Social Services; Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Júnior, undersecretary of health surveillance, Ministry of Health of Brazil; Dr. Lloyd Webb, advisor on veterinary public health, Office of Caribbean Program Coordination (CPC/PAHO), Barbados; Albert R. Ramdin, assistant secretary general, Organization of American States.

WHY: H5N1 avian influenza has spread from Asia to Europe, the Middle East and Africa in recent months, and many experts believe it could reach in the Americas by this summer. Its arrival would pose a serious threat to the poultry industry as well as to the health of people exposed to sick birds. Moreover, as the virus expands its range, the chances increase that it will mutate into a form that is easily transmissible between humans. Influenza pandemics have historically taken the world by surprise, leaving little time for health services to prepare for the abrupt increases in cases and deaths that characterize these events and make them so disruptive. This time, the world has been warned in advance, offering an unprecedented opportunity to prepare for a pandemic and develop ways to mitigate its effects.