Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Avian Influenza. Athens, Georgia, USA. April 14-17, 2002.

Abstract

On behalf of my cochair, Richard Slemons, our councilors B.C. Easterday and Charles W. Beard, and the International Program Committee, welcome to the Fifth International Symposium on Avian Influenza and to Athens, GA, the classic city. Springtime is very beautiful in northeast Georgia with the blooming of the dogwood trees and azaleas, mild temperatures, and occasional light showers. On Tuesday evening, we have arranged for a few hours to enjoy some of the natural beauty of the region. But more importantly, I am confident the scientific program over the next 4 days will be enlightening, challenging, and educational. I believe you will not be disappointed, and your registration fee will be well spent. The International Symposia on Avian Influenza began in 1981 with the first symposium being held in Beltsville, MD. This first symposium was organized through the efforts of Drs. Ben Pomeroy and Ray Bankowski. The symposium had 33 oral presentations and 99 participants from 18 countries. The second symposium was held in Athens, GA, in 1986 and followed on the heels of the 1983–84 outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N2) in the northeastern United States. The symposium had 53 oral presentations and 153 participants from 15 countries. The third symposium was held in Madison, WI, in 1992. The symposium had 39 oral presentations and was attended by 92 participants representing eight countries. The fourth symposium was held in Athens, GA, in 1997. The symposium had 43 oral and five poster presentations, and 152 participants from 16 countries. For the Fifth symposium, our registered attendance has exceeded all expectations with 204 registered attendees representing six continents and 25 countries, although, technically, we could count Antarctica as the seventh continent since Dr. Briggs from New Zealand conducted her studies on influenza in penguins in Antarctica that are reported in poster 22. The program has 56 oral presentations and 25 posters. The core of the symposium will be 11 scientific sessions with presentations by invited session keynote speakers. In prior symposia, all presentations were invited, but with the fifth avian influenza symposium we have added oral presentations by participants and expanded the poster session. At the end of each session, the very important question and answer periods will be held, but with this symposium, an important format change to written questions from the audience will eliminate the prior problems of inconsistent microphone use by the audience and provide a better quality recording for transcribing these sessions to written format for publication. Because of the human infections by avian influenza virus in 1997 in Hong Kong, the importance of avian influenza to human health has become of international importance. This symposium has added a specific section on public health. Our intent is to emphasize the cooperative and collaborative role that should be developed and fostered between human and veterinary medicine, and the human condition and agriculture. Your registration provides other benefits, such as many convenient meals, including 1) three continental breakfasts of pastries and muffins, fruit, juice, coffee, and tea (if you prefer heavier breakfast fare, the conference center has a cafe); 2) two luncheons; 3) a banquet on Monday night; and 4) a social dinner on Tuesday at the Georgia State Botanical Gardens. We have chosen foods that represent various American cultures. At the social dinner on Tuesday night, you have the opportunity to taste the flavor of several dishes from a Southern barbeque and walk among the beautiful gardens. Bus transportation will be provided from the conference center and return. In addition, morning and afternoon refreshment breaks will be provided on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Finally, as a registrant, you will receive a copy of the symposia proceedings to be mailed at a later date. This meeting is dedicated to two pioneers of avian influenza—Drs. Bernard (Barney) C. Easterday and Charles W. (Charlie) Beard. Although they have retired from avian influenza careers in academia and government, they still maintain an active role in policy and mentoring of others. The AVIAN DISEASES 47:783–784, 2003