Conference to address disease protection and prevention

Baltimore, MD. - 1/25/08 - The 2008 Biodefense and Emerging Disease Research Meeting, hosted by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), is scheduled Feb. 24-27 in Baltimore, MD .

The conference aims to bring bioterrorism and emerging disease experts together to develop awareness, methods of protection and future plans for addressing all potential biology-driven terrorism threats.

"There is continuing need for research that helps better protect the public against not only the traditional agents of bioterrorism, like anthrax , but also against emerging infectious diseases that hold the potential for serious human and economic harm, such as H5N1 influenza ," says ASM.

Intended for scientists, public health researchers and policy makers, the meeting will review current research, vaccines and detection and diagnostic procedures aimed at biothreat agents, along with discussions on animal and plant pathogen and global surveillance efforts, among other issues.

To be held in the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, conference focus sessions will also be devoted to international surveillance and response for emerging diseases, bioethics and conscience issues and the monitoring and maintenance of biosecurity.