Health experts from across Asia and the Pacific will assemble to call attention to the growing number of typhoid outbreaks occurring in the region a press conference.
According to the World Health Organization, typhoid impacts an estimated 21 million people and results in at least 200,000 deaths annually, predominantly among preschool-age and school age children in developing countries of Asia and Africa. Although safe, affordable and effective vaccines against typhoid fever are available and recommended for use by WHO, uptake is slow.
The press conference will be hosted by the Coalition against Typhoid (CaT), a global forum of scientists and immunization experts working to save lives and reduce suffering by advancing typhoid vaccination in high burden communities. CaT’s mandate is to bring typhoid fever back into worldwide visibility and encourage governments to take action against this thriving disease.
Speakers will include:
Dr. Jeremy Farrar, Director of the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Vietnam
Dr. Vipin M. Vashishtha, National Convener of the Committee on Immunization (COI), Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP)
Dr. Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, Head of Bangladesh Pediatric Association
Dr. Nguyen Van Cuong, Deputy Head of Vietnam’s National Immunization Program
Dr. Chris B. Nelson, Director, Coalition against Typhoid (CaT) Secretariat
Immediately following this event is the opening of the 15th International Congress on Infectious Diseases (ICID), at the Centara Grand in Bangkok, Thailand. The congress will be an opportunity for health-experts from around the world to share their commitment and expertise to controlling and preventing infectious diseases.
The speakers, along with other global health and immunization experts, will be available during ICID for additional interviews and background discussions.
Date: June 13, 2012 at 14.00 pm.
Location: Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand
