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OAK BROOK, IL July 12, 2010: Experts from across the professional disciplines of human health, disease control and veterinary medicine will be featured at the Sept. 23-24 symposium,
Zoonoses: Understanding the Animal Agriculture and Human Health Connection.
The symposium, which will examine connections between zoonotic diseases, animal agriculture and human health, will be at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Washington, D.C. The symposium is a program of Farm Foundation, NFP with support provided by USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) and Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Hormel Foods; the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials; the U.S. Animal Health Association; and the American Veterinary Medicine Association.
"The relationships of zoonoses, animal production and human health are characterized by diverse and complex issues," says symposium coordinator H.L. Goodwin, professor and poultry economist at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. "This symposium program represents a unique gathering of global leaders from across the disciplines. Sharing issues and concerns within and across disciplines reinforces the collaborations needed if we are to address the complexity of issues surrounding zoonoses."
Among the featured speakers at the symposium are:
- Dr. Juan Lubroth, Chief Veterinary Office, United Nation's Food Agriculture Organization,
- Dr. John Clifford, Deputy Administrator, Veterinary Services, USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS),
- Dr. Ali Khan, Assistant Surgeon General and Deputy Director, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
- Dr. Carol Rubin, Associate Director for Zoonoses and One Health at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
- Dr. David Heymann of the Centre on Global Health Security, Chatham House, United Kingdom, and
- Dr. Dave Harlan, Director of Global Animal Health, Cargill, Inc.
The program is designed to clarify specific issues in the relationships between animal agriculture and human health, broaden understanding of the relationship between diverse production systems and practices and zoonotic diseases, and identify questions that need more research or attention. The current program is posted on the Farm Foundation Web site.
Targeted for participation in the symposium are the multiple disciplines involved in any disease outbreak-public health officials, epidemiologists, virologists, veterinarians, agriculture producer groups and media representatives, particularly those responsible for health, science and agricultural coverage.
"Regardless of the disease, each profession has a key role in the prevention or management of a zoonotic disease outbreak," says Farm Foundation, NFP Vice President Sheldon Jones. "As evidenced by the recent H1N1 disease outbreak, significant questions exist with both professionals and the general public about the relationship between diseases, agricultural production systems and human health. This symposium is designed to help build a systematic knowledge and a more holistic understanding of those relationships."
To build the symposium program, Farm Foundation brought together a diverse planning committee of representatives from academia, the veterinary health community, public health agencies, livestock production and the media. The program emphasizes the need for science-based and cohesive communication between the multiple disciplines involved in any disease outbreak.
In addition to the program sessions, the symposium will feature a poster session, with abstracts to be evaluated in three areas: wildlife populations, commercial animal agricultural systems, and human health concerns. Details are posted on the Farm Foundation Web site, www.farmfoundation.org.
Conference registration is $300 if paid by Sept. 1, 2010, after which the fee will be $350. A special student registration rate of $175 is also available if paid by Sept.1, after which it will be $200. A block of sleeping rooms has been reserved at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, 1000 H Street NW, Washington, D.C. Hotel reservations can be made by calling (202) 582-1234 or 800-233-1234. The symposium room rate of $209 per night, single or double occupancy, is available for reservations made by Aug. 25, 2010.
For more information:
Sheldon Jones, Vice President, Farm Foundation, 630-571-9393, Sheldon@farmfoundation.org
H.L. Goodwin, symposium coordinator, 479-445-4141
Mary Thompson, Vice President-Communications, Farm Foundation, 630-571-9393, Mary@farmfoundation.org.
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