About – Overview
isirv is an independent scientific professional society promoting the prevention, detection, treatment, and control of influenza and other respiratory virus diseases. The isirv society will take a lead role in organizing the largest international conference exclusively devoted to influenza prevention, control and treatment, including seasonal flu and pandemic preparedness, namely the Options for the Control of Influenza conference, which takes place every 3 to 4 years.
Influenza and acute respiratory virus disease is a field of public health with major international importance. Recent epidemiological events—massive outbreaks of highly virulent avian influenza in several countries and evidence of transmission from poultry to man—have resulted in a high level of concern surrounding the potential risk of pandemic influenza, establishing an urgent need for increased international collaboration on research and development.
Also, the recent, sudden appearance of a new and highly pathogenic respiratory virus disease, SARS, has served to highlight the importance of clinical and laboratory research and scientific communication about respiratory virus diseases.
A large number of laboratory and clinical scientists, public health professionals, and others around the world are involved in a broad range of activities in this field, including surveillance in man and animals, epidemiology, prevention by vaccines and antivirals, clinical studies, and basic scientific research. Furthermore, preparing for the next influenza pandemic is a major priority and concern for many countries, as well as preparedness in dealing with potential future SARS cases or an outbreak. isirv is the first professional scientific body to represent these activities internationally.
isirv will sponsor the Options VI conference and will undertake a number of activities, including:
- Provide a forum for the exchange of information and international collaboration between all people with a scientific interest in any aspect of influenza and other respiratory viral infections
- Promote relevant scientific and clinical training and education
- Organize scientific meetings and workshops on key topics and develop international consensus
- Support and develop partnership with international activities, such as WHO and other agencies
- Sponsor the Options for the Control of Influenza conference
- Provide an international voice to advocate for a higher priority for this public health issue, including increased resources for research and public health action
- Promote the dissemination of information on the impact of acute respiratory virus disease both locally and globally
- Develop and promote guidelines on prevention and control policies
- Identify gaps in knowledge
- Promote and encourage the publication of research and other information
