Isolation Measures For Controlling Epidemics - Workshop, 10th September In Washington, DC

Main Category: Tuberculosis
Also Included In: Conferences
Article Date: 04 Sep 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Six weeks after South Africa's Cape High Court authorized mandatory isolation of patients with extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Stimson's Global Health Security Program are convening a workshop on "social distancing" techniques such as quarantines.

Four leading experts will provide legal, public health, and biosecurity perspectives on isolation measures, including voluntary and involuntary quarantines and other non-pharmaceutical interventions. The panel discussion is set for 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 pm, Wednesday, 10 September at the Henry L. Stimson Center Conference Room, 12th floor, 1111 19th Street, NW, Washington, DC.

Social distancing methods were used in Taiwan in 2003, when some 150,000 victims of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) were quarantined, and isolation measures also were instrumental in controlling the 1918 influenza pandemic. When a disease outbreak is caused by a new pathogen or bioterrorism agent, or when medical countermeasures such as vaccines are not available, quarantine and other isolation strategies may be essential, noted Kavita M. Berger, a project director for the AAAS Center for Science, Technology, and Security Policy.

Four speakers at the AAAS-Stimson event will discuss relevant research, as well as laws in the United States and internationally, and public attitudes toward isolation tactics. Speakers include:

* Laura Donohue, J.D., Ph.D., Stanford University
* James G. Hodges, Jr., J.D. LL.M., Centers for Law and the Public's Health, Johns Hopkins and Georgetown Universities
* Eric Noji, M.D., M.P.H., Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
* Monica Schoch-Spana, Ph.D., Center for Biosecurity of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

WHAT: Controlling Epidemics: Use of Isolation Measures

WHEN: Wednesday, 10 September 2008, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Henry L. Stimson Center Conference Room, 12th Floor
1111 19th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

HOST: The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Stimson's Global Health Security Program

People wishing to attend this event can go log onto: https://secureapps.aaas.org/EventRSVP/Login.aspx?eventid=102

Or, go to http://cstsp.aaas.org/event.html and then click on the "isolation measures" event to reach a page with an RSVP link.

Notes:

For more information on the AAAS, please visit http://www.aaas.org/.

AAAS the world's largest general scientific society, dedicated to "Advancing science, Serving society."

Source:
Earl Lane
American Association for the Advancement of Science