FASS to Host Second Professional Series Seminar on Avian Influenza on April 29

The FASS organization will hold its second professional series seminar on April 29, 2005 at the Atlanta Hilton (downtown).  The one-day event has been titled, “Avian Influenza:  The Emerging Global Impact.”

The event will feature 12 invited speakers who will present on topics ranging from diagnosis to euthanasia to human cross-over to potential bioterrorism.  We are pleased that those on the agenda (see http://www.fass.org/seminars/avian/agenda.asp) represent academia, government, and the private sector, providing a broad base of knowledge from which many participants are sure to benefit.

Speakers for the day include Jack Shere, USDA-APHIS-VS, Associate Director, Western Region; Fidelis N. Hegngi, USDA-APHIS-VS, Senior Staff Veterinarian, National Animal Health Policy and Programs Certification and Control Team (Poultry Programs); David E. Swayne, Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, Laboratory Director; Dennis Senne, National Veterinary Services Laboratory; Nathaniel L. Tablante, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland; Annette Whiteford, Director of Animal Health and Food Safety Services, California Department of Food and Agriculture; T. J. Myers, USDA-APHIS; Bruce Stewart-Brown, Vice President of Food Safety and Quality, Perdue Farms, Inc.; Susan Trock, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets; Jeremy Stump, Director of Homeland Security, USDA, Office of the Secretary; and Jacqueline Katz (Keynote Speaker), Chief, Immunology and Viral Pathogenesis Section, Influenza Branch, Centers for Disease Control.

Equally impressive is the list of sponsors for this event, including United Egg Producers; Intervet, Inc.; Schering-Plough Animal Health; IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.; Merial Select; Fort Dodge Animal Health; American Association of Avian Pathologists; Charles River SPAFAS, Inc.; Cobb-Vantress, Inc.; USDA–APHIS; USDA–ARS; and Biomune.

This event was organized by members of the FASS Standing Scientific Advisory Committee on Food Safety, Animal Drugs, and Animal Health. The dedicated efforts of Brian Sheldon and Robert Norton from such committee and also the efforts of Calvin Keeler, a PSA member and representative of the American Association of Avian Pathologists, are to be respected.  These scientists have worked to assemble a terrific program that is sure to attract a large number of individuals for our four market areas:  consumers, industry, producers, and academia.

FASS encourages your participation in this event as well.  Please consider attending this event after visiting the seminar web site:

www.fass.org/seminars/avian

With any comments or questions, please contact Amy Kemp at 217/356-2426, ext. 26 or e-mail amyk@assochq.org.