Emerging infectious diseases are at the center of the world’s attention. The threats of pandemic influenza and bioterrorism, and the realization, born of the SARS outbreak, that new infectious diseases may be recognized at any time, in any place, have dramatically raised our awareness. What are the most important emerging disease threats? How can we quickly detect their occurrences in order to respond in a timely and appropriate way?

ProMED-mail, the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases, is pleased to invite you to the International Meeting on Emerging Diseases and Surveillance 2007. Along with our co-sponsors, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the European Commission, and the WHO Regional Office for Europe, we are developing a conference that will bring together the public health community, scientists, health care workers and other leaders in the field of emerging infectious diseases. The meeting will embrace the ‘One Medicine’ concept recognizing that, just as diseases reach across national boundaries, so do they transcend species barriers. We therefore welcome the full participation of both the human and animal health communities.

2007, the year that the revised International Health Regulations will take full effect, is a highly fitting time to address the implementation of these broadly reaching regulations and to understand their implications for the surveillance of emerging diseases. Centrally located in Europe, the beautiful host city of Vienna is rich in history and culture. IMED 2007 will be organized by the International Society for Infectious Diseases, which has over 20 years experience in planning and implementing international biomedical meetings.

With outstanding plenary speakers, symposia by expert panels, and invited abstracts, IMED 2007 is certain to be the year’s major conference for those involved in the detection, monitoring, and study of emerging pathogens and to those in the front lines of response. We look forward to joining you in Vienna.

Larry MADOFF
Chair

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