Summary of the Symposium on Emerging and Re-emerging Pig Diseases

June 20, 2011 — 

More than 1000 people attended the 6th International Symposium on Emerging and Re-emerging Pig Diseases held at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya, Barcelona (Spain). During 4 days, veterinarians and scientists from around the world presented the latest and more relevant information on emerging and re-emerging diseases of swine, with special emphasis on porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), porcine circovirus diseases (PCVD) and swine influenza (SI).

From June 12th to 15th, Barcelona was, for four days, the focus of the pig industry and animal health research. The International Symposium on Emerging and Re-emerging Pig Diseases is organized in a 4-year basis, always in a different country, and this time was organized in Barcelona by CReSA (Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal, Research Center for Animal Health). Dr Joaquim Segalés, researcher at the same institute and professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona), was the chair of the congress.

The success was confirmed with the assistance of a total of 1016 delegates from 62 countries, and a total of 11 key note lectures, 35 oral communications and 257 scientific posters were presented.

The opening ceremony of the congress was presented by Margarita Arboix (General Director for Agriculture and Livestock of the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs) and Miquel Molins (General Director of Agriculture and Livestock of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Food and Environment of the Generalitat de Catalunya), who were the responsible for the symposium inauguration.

The three days of the congress were organized according to the diseases included in the program. On Monday, all communications were in the scope of PCVD and emerging viral infections. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) and re-emerging viral diseases were tackled on Tuesday. Finally, on Wednesday, the main subject was swine influenza (SI).

As expected, there were moments to get away and leisure for attendees. The first day counted with a get together reception for the guests in the gardens of the Hotel Juan Carlos I, while on Tuesday night the farewell banquet took place in the gorgeous Sala Oval of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC).

The closing ceremony served to announce the name of the next host country of the Symposium. Looking forward to seeing you in Japan in 2015.

The electronic version of Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Emerging and Re-emerging Pig Diseases will be soon available in: http://www.emerging2011.com

Source: http://www.emerging2011.com CReSA Press Release, June 20, 2011