Yale Bulletin and Calendar

April 14, 2006|Volume 34, Number 26

Impact of bird-borne infections on
wildlife conservation is topic of forum

The implications of bird-borne infectious diseases on wildlife conservation efforts will be among the topics explored in a forum titled "Avian Reservoirs of Human Pathogens," being held 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 21, in Harkness Auditorium, Sterling Hall of Medicine, 333 Cedar St.

The event is sponsored by the Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies' Center for EcoEpidemiology. As part of a series of interdisciplinary forums designed to bridge the intellectual gap between the natural and medical sciences in order to address critical common issues, it aims to bring together researchers from the fields of microbiology, ornithology, entomology, epidemiology and conservation biology.

Birds have played a role in the transmission of Lyme disease, West Nile virus and, more recently, avian influenza -- either directly or through intermediate vectors such as ticks and mosquitoes. The role of avian species in spreading disease has been of particular concern to scientists, because birds are ubiqitous and can move pathogens over long distances quickly.

"Although much of the focus is now on avian influenza, much can be learned from previous experience with other avian-borne diseases such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease," says Durland Fish, professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, and director of the Center for EcoEpidemiology. "The rapid movement of West Nile virus from New York City to the West Coast is now recognized to have been the results of migratory bird movement, just as avian influenza is rapidly moving from Asia through Europe. Each year migrating birds bring Eastern equine encephalitis virus from the tropics to temperate areas in New England. Certain strains of the Lyme disease spirochete bacteria are primarily bird pathogens.

"Wildlife biologists and medical epidemiologists must work together to understand more about bird-borne infectious diseases in order to avoid conflicts between epidemics and wildlife conservation," adds Fish. "This will be the first time such a diverse group of experts have been assembled to discuss common issues."

The forum will open with a keynote address titled "Ecology and Evolution of Influenza A Viruses" by Robert G. Webster, who holds the Rose Marie Thomas Chair at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Webster studies the structure and function of influenza virus proteins and the development of new vaccines and antivirals. He is particularly interested in the importance of influenza viruses in wild birds as a major reservoir of influenza viruses and their role in the evolution of new pandemic strains for humans and lower animals. In addition to his position at St. Jude, Webster is a consultant to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and is a fellow of the Royal Society, the United Kingdom's national academy of science. Webster also directs the WHO Collaborating Center on the ecology of influenza viruses at the animal/human interface; based at St. Jude, it is the only laboratory of its type in the world. Webster was recently named by Scientific American magazine as a "Research Leader" for providing insight into how novel influenza viruses spread.

The morning program will also include sessions on "Avian Reservoirs of West Nile Virus," "Avian Zoonoses in Europe" and "Birds and Lyme Disease." The afternoon sessions will focus on "Avian Hosts of Mosquito Vectors," "Avian Sentinels for Arboviruses," "Monitoring Bird Populations," "Migratory Connectivity and Movement of Avian Disease" and "Avian Influenza and Wildlife Conservation: Benefits of a 'One Health' Approach." A list of speakers can be found at www.yale.edu/yibs/avian_forum.html.

The forum is free and open to the public; to register, contact Susan Van Ness at susan.vanness@yale.edu or (203) 785-3223.

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

It's Official. President of China to speak April 21

As HHMI Professor, Strobel will take students 'bioprospecting'

Scientists find gene linked to drug dependence

Program puts FOCUS on communication

Joan Steitz, Thomas Pollard win prestigious international prize spirit

Renowned poet W.S. Merwin to read from and discuss his work

A heroine's determination prevails in 'All's Well That Ends Well'

Event will examine how to preserve access to knowledge

Performances and workshops will explore 'theatrical bodies' . . .

Symposium on human rights will focus on memorializing atrocities

Talk, exhibit explore lessons learned from past flu outbreaks

SOM conference will examine globalization and technology

India's road to independence is topic of film, panel discussion

Dwight Hall fundraiser to include inaugural social justice award

Symposium to look at 'Success with Learning Differences'

Impact of bird-borne infections on wildlife conservation is topic of forum

Panel discussion will focus on 'Class, Race and Inequality in South Africa'

Trainer describes biker Lance Armstrong's winning ways

Tsunami Awareness Week raised funds and refocused humanitarian efforts

Campus Notes

Wangari Maathai lecture cancelled