Media Advisory

WHO:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists
The American Society for Microbiology
The Association of Public Health Laboratories
The CDC Foundation

WHAT:

To sponsor the 2nd International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases

WHERE:

The Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, Georgia

WHEN:

July 16-19, 2000

WHY:

To increase recognition of emerging and reemerging infectious diseases and to encourage scientific partnerships to address these diseases

BACKGROUND:

Infectious diseases continue to remain a constant threat and a public health problem. Changes in society, technology, and the environment, combined with the decreasing effectiveness of antibiotics, have introduced a wide spectrum of emerging and reemerging infectious diseases. Infectious diseases remain leading killers in the U.S. and abroad.

This conference will the second of its kind sponsored by CDC and partners. The upcoming conference will feature topics including:

• bioterrorism
• emerging pathogens such as West Nile Virus
• prevention and control of emerging infectious diseases, and
• research devoted to surveillance, epidemiology, communication, and training.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES