The H1N1 influenza pandemic that began in 2009 taught us that emerging diseases will continue to challenge us and defy our expectations. Emerging in North America rather than Asia, of swine and not avian origin and spreading rapidly but with less mortality than predicted, the outbreak of H1N1 influenza A surprised even the most informed observers.
Once again, pandemic brought emerging infectious diseases to the center of the world’s attention. The realization that new infectious diseases may be recognized at any time, in any place, has dramatically sharpened our awareness. What are the most important emerging disease threats? How can we quickly detect their occurrences in order to respond in a timely and appropriate way?

The Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED), is pleased to invite you to the IMED 2011, following highly successful meetings in 2007 and 2009. Along with our co-sponsors, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the European Commission, and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, we are developing a conference that will bring together the public health community, scientists, health care workers and other leaders in the field of emerging infectious diseases. The meeting will embrace the “One Health” concept recognizing that, just as diseases reach across national boundaries, so do they transcend species barriers. We therefore welcome the full participation of both the human and animal health communities.

Centrally located in Europe, the beautiful host city of Vienna is rich in history and culture. IMED 2011 will be organized by the International Society for Infectious Diseases, which has over 25 years experience in running international biomedical meetings.

With outstanding plenary speakers, symposia, and both oral and poster presentations of submitted abstracts, IMED 2011 is certain to be the year’s major conference for those involved in the detection, monitoring and study of emerging pathogens and to those in the front lines of response.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming you in Vienna at the IMED 2011.

Larry MADOFF
Chair, Scientific Program Committee
Editor ProMED-mail
ISID, Boston, USA

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