International Dengue Course

Cuba - The Course´s objective is that participants could debate about the the most relevant and updated aspects of this disease.

The 1981 Cuban dengue epidemic represented a change in the history of dengue in the American region; 9 years later, a second epidemic was reported then in Venezuela. Since the 80’s, the number of cases, epidemics and countries reporting dengue activity have increased and currently several countries report the co-circulation of more than one serotype.

In this context, the three PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centers (PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center for the Study of Viral Diseases, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center for Training and Research on Medical Malacology and Biological Control of Vectors and Intermediate Hosts, and the PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center for the Study of Dengue and its Vector) of the “Pedro Kourí” Tropical Medicine Institute (IPK), Havana, Cuba, together with the Cuban Ministry of Public Health and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the World Health Organization (WHO, and the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), organize, since 1987, their biannual International Dengue Course.

This 10th edition of the Course covers 20 years (1987-2007) of work dedicated to strengthening capacities in dengue control and prevention. Taking in advance this important occasion, the Symposium, “25 Years of Experience Struggling against Dengue” will be simultaneously organized as well as the Course "Application of the Geographic Information Systems to Dengue Prevention and Control", from 13-15 August 2007.

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OBJECTIVE OF THE COURSE

The Course´s objective is that participants: physicians, virologists, immunologists, sociologists, epidemiologists, entomologists, health managers, among others interested in this field, along with many professors from several prestigious international institutions, could debate about the the most relevant and updated aspects of this disease.

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TOPICS OF THE COURSE

Dengue & Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever: past, present and future

New international initiatives in the struggle against dengue. Role of PAHO, TDR and WHO

New strategies in dengue diagnosis.

Prognosis markers

Viral replication of flaviviruses. New knowledge.

Dengue virus, structure, and genome

Molecular epidemiology

Search for a safe dengue vaccine

Usefulness and application of antiviral drugs in the treatment of dengue

Humoral and cellular immunity against dengue: protection or pathogenesis?

Pathogenesis and physiopathology

Role of host characteristics as the risk factor for DHF

Risk factors for dengue transmission and for DHF/DSS

Dengue in Cuba: new findings

Clinical syndromes. Differential diagnosis

Ecology of Aedes aegypti

Mechanisms of Insecticide Resistance.

Surveillance of Aedes aegypti.

Social factors in dengue transmission

Role of community participation and behavioral changes

Community participation and dengue control: gaps in the knowledge.

Ecosystem approach for dengue prevention

Integrated Dengue surveillance

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ORGANIZATION AND PROGRAMME OF THE COURSE

The Course has been structured in two sections: theoretical and practical. The theoretical section will be conducted during the first week (6-8 August 2007) and the practical section during the second week (13-17 August 2007).

In the practical section, participants will gather in four different groups, according to their interests: clinical care, vectors, community participation, and virology. For the activities related to dengue epidemiology, the first three groups will join.

To see the Programme of the Course in pdf format, click here.

Participants of the Course will have the opportunity of attending the Symposium too. Besides, there is also the possibility that participants choose which activity they wish to participate in: the theoretical section, the practical section, the Symposium, or to a combination of them.

CONTACT

Prof. María G. Guzmán, MD, PhD.
Head of the Virology Department
"Pedro Kourí" Tropical Medicine Institute (IPK)
Director of the WHO/PAHO Center for the Study of Dengue and its Vector
Phone: (537) 202-0450
Fax: (537) 204-6051
email: [email protected]

http://www.ipk.sld.cu/cursos/dengue2007/index.htm#contact

From 06 Aug 2007
Until 17 Aug 2007
Cuba
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