Swine flu: free public meeting

Swine Flu: The Nation’s Health. The Expert’s View.

A free, public meeting on the nature, cause, effect, treatment and implications of swine flu at International Convention Centre, Birmingham, Monday 28 September 2009

We’re offering an opportunity for people to be fully briefed on this unprecedented public health issue, to understand the implications and how scientists are instrumental in controlling and preventing it.

Biomedical scientists are one of the key groups dealing with swine flu. They have the specialist virology skills and equipment required to test samples and confirm diagnoses made by their colleagues in primary care. Consequently, they are in the front line of the fight against swine flu.

The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) is the professional body for Britain’s biomedical scientists. During its Biomedical Science Congress, the IBMS is inviting its members and members of the public to attend a free open session to learn more about the current outbreak of swine flu – its threats, implications and treatments.

This special session, to be held at the ICC Birmingham on 28 September 2009, will consider the origins, epidemiology and social, medical and scientific consequences of the pandemic, as well as the prospects for containing and preventing the swine flu H1N1 virus, which has claimed 65 lives in the UK, and more than 1800 worldwide.

Understanding the Science

The IBMS has engaged three flu experts to give the facts about swine flu from differing perspectives and take questions in the open session about the scientific issues and social implications of the virus.

John Stevens, President of the IBMS, says:

“We’re in uncharted territory with swine flu. This is first pandemic of our modern age of cheap mass travel and instant, global communication, and it’s still unclear just how far and fast it could spread. Understandably, people are concerned.”

"As the IBMS, we feel we have a responsibility to share our knowledge and experience, and give people as much information and reassurance as we possibly can. Through this free, open session, we’re offering an opportunity to be fully briefed on this unprecedented public health issue, to understand the implications of swine flu and how scientists are instrumental in controlling and preventing it."

10.30 – 11.00 The Swine Flu Virus

Viruses come in many forms and cross species barriers. The recent discovery of swine flu in birds raises concerns about the spread of the virus and means that the virus could theoretically mix with more dangerous strains. This presentation deals with the different types of viruses, how they operate and infect, why some are more dangerous than others, crossing of the species barrier, and how swine flu differs from seasonal flu and bird flu.
Dr Chris Catchpole, Director for Infection Prevention & Control, Worcestershire Royal Hospital

11.00 – 11.30 Pandemics and Public Health Planning

The World Health Organisation has described the swine flu pandemic as the fastest-moving one ever. This presentation addresses the public health issues associated with this virus such as virulence, prevention, spread, control, local/national pandemic planning and what we are learning/have learnt from this pandemic.
Prof Nick Phin, Pandemic Influenza Office, Health Protection Agency Centre for Infection

11.30 – 12.00 Swine Flu Vaccines and Antivirals

Scientists have developed a vaccine for swine flu, but it isn't available yet. The first batches of vaccine are expected to be available in October. Antiviral treatments are currently available. Accordingly, this presentation covers the vaccine and antiviral therapies associated with this virus. What a vaccine is, how they work, how they are produced, side effects/safety issues, what level of protection they offer and why they are specific to a particular strain of virus.
Prof Peter Openshaw, Centre for Respiratory Infection, Imperial College London

If you wish to attend please process your registration as soon as possible to help with planning the meeting. To attend this free public meeting:

Call: 01892 779990
Email: ibmscongress@stepex.com

Already booked at Congress

If you are already booked for Congress as a full delegate (or are planning to do so), your delegate badge will give you access to this meeting as well as all the scheduled lectures, exhibition and relevant activities for the days that you have booked. 

Download programme in pdf

If you wish to attend please process your registration as soon as possible to help with planning the meeting. To attend this free public meeting:

Call: 01892 779990
Email: ibmscongress@stepex.com