list of speakers......
smallpoxbiosecurity.org
Geneva to host international smallpox biosecurity summit
Geneva, Switzerland, October 09 /PRNewswire/ -- - Leading international experts and policy makers set to converge on Geneva to discuss smallpox biosecurity
- Two-day event will focus on measures to counteract the deliberate use of the smallpox virus as a bioterrorist agent
Geneva, Switzerland, - Smallpox BioSecurity today revealed some of the pressing themes that will take centre stage at a major conference being held in Geneva, Switzerland. The two-day meeting, which focuses on measures to counteract the deliberate use of the smallpox virus, will take place on October 21-22.
Ken Alibek, Professor at George Mason University in the United States and one-time scientific head of the civilian branch of the former Soviet Union's offensive biological weapons program, commented: "Terrorism is one of the most significant challenges facing society in the 21st century. Recent events worldwide have heightened awareness of the potential threat of biological weapons to public health and the smallpox virus poses the greatest threat as a biological weapon."
Professor Alibek continued: "The purpose of the meeting in Geneva is to bring together some of the world's leading experts and international policy makers to discuss and deliberate on the necessary steps to counter a smallpox bioterrorist attack. If we do not act across a wide range of areas we will be failing in our responsibilities as global citizens."
The conference will examine in detail the risk and impact of a smallpox epidemic, the existing policies and practices in place to deal with such an outbreak and the science underlying immunization against the disease. Presentations will cover topics such as the likelihood of a smallpox epidemic and its devastating effects, surveillance techniques, the policies and practices needed to tackle an outbreak and the very latest developments in smallpox vaccine research.
One of the key objectives in putting the conference together has been to highlight the level of cooperation that would be needed across different countries' public health sectors - including surveillance specialists, healthcare workers and scientists - to address problems that may arise. A workshop has been specifically designed to explore the practical consequences of a biological attack.
Peter Jahrling, Principle Scientific Advisor at the US Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID), said: "Scientific evidence suggests that the impact of a smallpox outbreak on a population with low immunity would be considerable. Some estimates suggest infection poses a 30% fatality rate among unvaccinated individuals. " He added: "We cannot afford to be complacent in putting in place the necessary infrastructure to support public health systems worldwide in preventing or dealing with such an incident."
Donald A. Henderson, Principal Science Advisor of the US Department of Health and Human Services, added: "It is important to realise that being ready for bioterrorism does not have to compromise capacity to respond to existing health problems. Society stands to gain from the improvements in health and emergency infrastructure that should accompany bioterrorist prevention programs. Progress in smallpox vaccine research should also deliver benefits to other areas of the biomedical sciences."
He concluded: "Governments and policy makers should not hesitate to put in place preventive measures without any delay. It may be unthinkable, but a future outbreak of smallpox due to a deliberate release of the virus cannot be excluded."
A by-invitation press conference will take place at the Geneva Press Club on October 20 at 14:00 (Central European Time). Smallpox BioSecurity: Preventing the unthinkable will take place at the Hotel President Wilson in Geneva on October 21-22 2003.
smallpoxbiosecurity.org
For more information, please contact: Claire Lachlan, Smallpox BioSecurity, Phone: +44 (0) 1223 275 306, Fax: +44 (0) 8701 990 123, Mobile: +44(0)79 0069 1025, E-mail:contact@smallpoxbiosecurity.org or Barry Whyte/Christophe Lamps, Rochat & Partners, Phone: +41 22 786 54 55, Fax: +41 22 786 54 58, Mobile: +44(0)79 476 2687, E-mail:barry@rochat-pr.ch, clamps@rochat-pr.ch |
