Looking Back at the 2nd South Asian Melioidosis Congress

by Roshan ( Web Admin ) · October 21, 2017

The 2^nd South Asian Melioidosis Congress was held at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel on 29^th and 30^th August. As its name implies, this was the second Congress on Melioidosis to be held in this region, involving countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan, to increase awareness about melioidosis.

Melioidosis is a neglected tropical disease that is frequently mis-or under-diagnosed in the region. Hence, the theme of the conference, “Unearthing a subterranean infection”. Revealing the hidden burden of infection requires the co-operation of a network of microbiologists, epidemiologists, infectious disease specialists, and public health personnel. The 2^nd South Asian Melioidosis Congress aimed to allow researchers and clinical personnel to meet and learn from global experts on the disease and develop collaborations within and between countries in the region and groups overseas with the ultimate goal of reducing the morbidity and mortality of this potentially fatal infection.

The objectives of the 2^nd SAMC were:

To raise awareness among clinicians, public health personnel, policy makers and the public of the burden of disease caused by melioidosis in South Asia.
To disseminate knowledge and skills pertaining to melioidosis within the South Asian region
To promote basic and applied research in melioidosis.
To promote collaboration among clinicians and researchers in the region to study the epidemiology, clinical and laboratory diagnosis, management and prevention and control of melioidosis.

The target audience were Clinical Microbiologists, other Clinicians, Infectious Disease specialists, Laboratory personnel, Epidemiologists, Public Health personnel, Veterinarians, Policy makers and Researchers in Infectious Diseases.

Organising Committee

Patron: Prof Vasanthi Thevanesam (Sri Lanka)

Chairperson: Dr Enoka Corea (Sri Lanka)
Prof Chiranjay Mukhopadhayay (India)
Prof Tim Inglis (Australia)
Prof David Dance (Laos)
Dr Herbert Schweizer (US)
Dr Dharshan de Silva (Sri Lanka)
Dr Thushari Dissanayake (Sri Lanka)
Dr Nayomi Dhanthanarayana (Sri Lanka)
Dr Malika Karunaratne (Sri Lanka)
Ms Ranmalie Abeysekara (Sri Lanka)
Dr Muditha Abeykoon (Sri Lanka)

The academic progamme consisted of a series of lectures delivered by world renowned experts in all areas of melioidosis including history, epidemiology, clinical presentation, immune response, laboratory diagnosis, soil surveillance etc. International speakers from the USA, Netherlands, Australia, Austria, Thailand, India and Bangladesh were the resource persons at this conference. In addition, case presentations were presented by researchers from Sri Lanka, Malaysia and India. A “Meet the Expert” session where researchers and clinicians could meet and interact with the expert of their choice was held.

Twenty four e-posters were presented. First, second and third prizes were awarded to the poster presenters at a valedictory ceremony.

Outcome

The 2^nd SAMC was highly successful with the participation of 160 persons on the 29^th August and 150 persons on the 30^th August. This included 18 speakers from overseas, 2 local speakers, 2 observers from the region (from Nepal and Pakistan) and 4 Indian researchers who were awarded travel scholarships and a further 21 overseas registrants.