ALERT: Update on H7N9: Should We Be Concerned?

The emergence of human infections with avian influenza viruses (H7N9 and H5N1) have raised concerns about the virus gaining the ability to spread person-to-person, potentially causing a deadly pandemic. So far the number of human cases has been limited but the mortality rates have been high. In response to this public health threat the ASM's Public and Scientific Affairs Board (PSAB) has convened a special-latebreaking session to discuss the molecular biology of these viruses and the likelihood of human to human transmission of these viruses. In advance of this session, speakers will participate in an ASM Live session to discuss their presentations and take questions from the viewing audience.

Ronald Atlas, Ph.D., University of Louisville, KY
Robert Webster; St. Jude Res. Hosp., Memphis, TN
Albert Osterhaus; Erasmus MC Dept. of Viroscience; Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Carole Heilman; NIH, NIAID, Bethesda, MD

For general information about influenza, please download the Influenza FAQ .pdf from the American Academy of Microbiology - http://academy.asm.org/images/stories...