Brisbane is honoured to welcome delegates to OPTIONS XII for the Control of INFLUENZA Conference, the only global scientific meeting with a dedicated focus on influenza, being held this week at the ASM Global-managed Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC).
BCEC is hosting 1,400 members of the international influenza research community at the event which is being run by the International Society for Influenza and other Respiratory Virus Diseases (ISIRV).
Learnings from COVID-19 have made the world more aware of influenza and arguably more appreciative of the global collaborations that it takes to develop a flu vaccine.
Australia has always been a global leader in immunology, vaccine development and influenza research, with a huge depth of expertise in Brisbane often led by The University of Queensland (UQ) and in collaboration with other universities and medical research institutes.
Conference Chair, Associate Professor Kirsty Short, Principal Research Fellow at UQ’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, worked with colleagues at ISIRV, the host organisation, and the team at BCEC to secure this important medical research conference for Australia and Brisbane.
A priority for the organising committee was emphasising support for the next generation of scientists, particularly women.
“Australia has a strong reputation as a science leader and Brisbane in particular is on a vigorous and exciting trajectory. We are thrilled that our vision of getting young people involved and engaged in the conference has come to fruition with 79 scholarship students attending,” Professor Short said.
A dynamic agenda for the four-day event has been conceived to create wider opportunities contributing to global health. The presence of world-leading scientists and eminent researchers with responsibilities in world health organisations and institutions will deliver new data and new knowledge at the conference.
Topics on the agenda for discussion include influenza and RSV vaccines and treatments, new vaccines for influenza, First Nations respiratory virus health, long COVID and the threat of H5N1 influenza (bird flu).
Those addressing the Conference include Professor Sir Jeremy Farrar, Chief Scientist for the World Health Organisation (WHO); Professor Maria Zambon, Director of Reference Microbiology at the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and World Chair of the International Society for Influenza and other Respiratory Virus Diseases (ISIRV); and Dr. Maria van Kerkhove, Acting Director of the Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness as well as the COVID-19 Technical Lead of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“It’s an exciting time in respiratory viruses. There is so much expertise in this field in Australia and Brisbane and after 23 years since this Conference was last held in Australia, ISIRV is delighted that the Conference is back in the Australasian region,” said Professor Maria Zambon, Chair of ISIRV.
General Manager of the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Kym Guesdon said the Centre was honoured to host this potentially life-saving world conference.
“Influenza and respiratory viruses are a fundamental part of the everyday lives of thousands of people and to host and support the world’s leading scientists and practitioners including our own incredible scientists and researchers, is of the utmost importance.”
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane was a world class destination for international events.
“Brisbane has an extensive background in biotechnology research and innovation, making our city the perfect place for experts to discuss lifesaving healthcare developments,” Cr Schrinner said.
“As delegates from around the world collaborate for this important conference we also invite them to explore our vibrant precincts like Howard Smith Wharves, West Village, South Bank and Fish Lane and enjoy the best of Brisbane’s incredible lifestyle during their stay.”
OPTIONS XII for the Control of INFLUENZA Conference is supported by Tourism and Events Queensland, Tourism Australia, and Brisbane Economic Development Agency.
