Disease invasion - symposium

18 - 19 Nov 2010 – 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Aedes aegypti mosquito. Source: CDC, James Gathany

Disease invasion: impacts on biodiversity and human health - a two day joint ZSL and Royal Society symposium

Disease invasion symposium composite images
The transmission of infectious diseases from one species to another is not only causing problems for humans (for example, SARS and influenza) but is also threatening wildlife conservation and even the survival of large and robust populations. Wild animals are both recipients of infections from humans and other species and reservoirs of new infections that can spill over to threaten humans, particularly when human-wildlife contact rates are increased.

This conference will focus on the extent to which wildlife pathogens threaten biodiversity and human health; the processes driving these disease threats; where future threats will arise and how these can be mitigated. Most threatening diseases are caused by infections that move between species, where one species acts a reservoir and then infects another, more vulnerable species that may suffer high-mortality rates.

We will explore our understanding of the dynamics of these diseases, the processes of circulation in wild reservoirs, the interesting and rare process of spill-over and how establishment occurs in the new host species.

We will evaluate the biological and anthropogenic mechanisms that facilitate the spill-over and spread of infection into new species (including humans) and geographic regions, and the selection pressures that can lead to new infections evolving. Aspects of control will be addressed, including the control of infections within their reservoir hosts and the target species.

We will examine a range of issues, from molecular processes to large-scale ecosystems, in order to identify and predict future threats. Finally, policies for mitigating disease threats to conservation and human health will be examined and science-based recommendations made.

Organised by Andrew Cunningham (Institute of Zoology, ZSL), Peter Hudson FRS (Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics at The Pennsylvania State University) and Andrew Dobson (Princeton University) in partnership with the Royal Society as part of its 350th anniversary celebrations in 2010.

Image credits (from top of composite image): Ixodes pacificus, courtesy of James Gathany, CDC; brain tissue showing amyloid plaques in a case of vCJD, courtesy of Sherif Zaki, MD PhD, and Wun-Ju Shieh, MD PhD MPH, CDC; Aedes aegypti, courtesy of James Gathany, CDC; Foot and mouth disease sign © 2001, Ben Gamble; graphical representation of influenza virion ultrastructure, courtesy of Dan Higgins, CDC; face masks © iStockphoto.com/mammamaart; Phlebotomus sp. fly, courtesy of CDC/WHO.

Disease invasion symposium - abstracts of talks and posters presented (0.8 MB)

Please note that this event has already taken place.

Become a ZSL member today to register at the discounted rate

Registration fees
Full rate: two days or part days £130; one day or part day £80.
Student/ZSL Friends and Fellows rate: two days or part days £65; one day or part day £40.
Lunch and refreshments are included in the registration fee and a three-course dinner with the speakers will be held on the Thursday evening; places at the dinner will cost an additional £40 per person.
Please note that the registration deadline is 5 November 2010. Bookings received after this date will incur an additional £10 charge.

Present a poster of your research or work in this area: posters relating to the symposium topic will be displayed throughout the meeting and attendees will have plenty of time to study posters during tea/coffee breaks. Posters will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis and abstracts of no more than 250 words outlining poster content should be emailed to joy.hayward@zsl.org by 18 October 2010 for consideration. Please find a word document version of the poster submission form above. NOTE: the poster proposal deadline has now passed. No further proposals can be accepted at this stage.

Bookings and enquiries: All places must be booked and paid for in advance. Places are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis; please complete and return all registration forms along with payment to Joy Hayward, Scientific Meetings Co-ordinator, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK; e-mail: joy.hayward@zsl.org ; tel: +44 (0)20 7449 6227.

Royal Society and ZSL logos