2006 Programs and Events

Dr. Webster's presentation entitled, "H5N1 Influenza: Will it Achieve Pandemic Status?"

Dr. Robert Webster and Dr. Andrew Corwin converse prior to Dr. Webster's presentation

August 1, 2006 - Dr. Robert Webster (internationally recognized influenza scientist from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee) and Dr. Andrew Corwin (Embassy Vientiane's Infectious Diseases Coordinator) converse prior to Dr. Webster's presentation entitled, "H5N1 Influenza: Will it Achieve Pandemic Status?" The presentation was attended by the Minister of Health as well as officials and NGO representatives concerned with both animal and human health. The thrust of Dr. Webster's presentation: H5N1 may well evolve into a virus that capable of causing a human pandemic, and the time to prepare is now. While Laos is not at the point where vaccination of birds is called for, the viruses discovered here should be readied for fast use in vaccine development. The Minister of Health buttonholed Dr. Webster for a private chat afterward, focused chiefly upon the requirements for effective culling and the need to provide some compensation to farmers for culled birds in order to elicit reports of outbreaks.