Newswise — Experts from the Virginia Tech and University of Maryland campuses of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine will brief media on:
"¢ Avian Flu and Other Looming Infectious Animal-Human Diseases " The World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta and health officials around the world fear Avian Influenza H5N1 will become a major public health threat. Our experts will discuss the reality of the threat"¦Are we ready for global pandemic?...Will the U.S. preparedness plan do any good?"¢ Disasters and Animals "Impacts on animals and humans resulting from terrorism and natural disasters were made painfully clear after Hurricane Katrina. Many Katrina victims stayed behind because they wouldn't leave their pets. Others left pets behind, creating a huge problem with abandoned animals. Experts, one of whom has been on the scene in Katrina area for weeks will talk about what needs to be done before the next disaster"¦ How do we prepare for the next crisis? What about livestock? What about bioterrorism? PARTICIPATING EXPERTS LISTED BELOW.
WHEN: Tuesday, November 8, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
WHERE: National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW, Washington, DC, 13th floor.Experts will make brief, informal presentations, then open the floor to media questions.
MEDIA BRIEFING EXPERTS- Professor Daniel Perez " University of Maryland avian influenza researcher and director of the $5 million "Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza in the U.S." project at the University of Maryland, the largest grant the USDA has ever awarded to study a single disease threat.- Dr. Nammalwar Sriranganathan - Center for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease at Virginia Tech; Will give overview of immunology work in college's Center for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, designed to protect people and animals from bioterrorism and naturally occurring pathogens.- Dr. Jennifer Brown " Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, Leesburg, VA; Equine veterinarian who has been working in the Katrina disaster area since September to help in animal rescue and recovery. - Professor Ed Hsu " Expert in public health information for epidemic/emergency surveillance; Will comment on national preparedness plan for avian influenza; Has led or co-led six public health preparedness and response research projects funded by the CDC and (Texas) state Department of Health; University of Maryland Department of Public and Community Health- Dr. Francois Elvinger " Veterinary epidemiologist; Coordinator, Collaborative Program of Veterinary Public Health and Comparative Medicine, Virginia Tech, in conjunction with the University of Maryland at Baltimore; Expert on the spread of disease and methods to detect disease.- Dr. Nathaniel Tablante " Poultry health management and biosecurity expert, University of Maryland; Currently focusing on avian influenza emergency response by conducting a national training program on methods of mass euthanasia (depopulation) and disposal of AI-infected flocks.- Dr. Betty Walters " Director, Center for Government and Corporate Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland; Expert on transmission of diseases from animals to humans, animal food safety issues, public policy, international veterinary medicine- Dr. Ted Mashima " Associate Director, Center for Government and Corporate Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland; Diplomate, American College of Zoological Medicine; Effects of disasters, terrorism on zoo animals and wildlife
The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine is a regional professional school of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg and the University of Maryland at College Park. The College operates three campuses, including the main campus installation at Virginia Tech, the Avrum Gudelsky Veterinary Center at College Park, and the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg. More at: http://www.vetmed.vt.edu/about.asp .
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