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Great Epidemics - The Return?

Since its origins, mankind has been plagued by deadly epidemics caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites. The spread of these infectious agents has traditionally taken advantage of changes in climatic and environmental conditions, of wars and migrations, and of other disruptions of the equilibrium between humans and their ecosystems.

More than any other, the modern era has witnessed an exacerbation of factors precipitating widespread infections. One is confronted today with the consequences of unprecedented burdens imposed by humans on the environment, leading to the emergence of new infectious diseases and to the resurgence of old foes. Massive deforestation, the building of gigantic cities with precarious sanitary conditions, the uncontrolled expansion of industrial activities, fundamental changes in the food chain, together with an increase in migrations and with greatly facilitated transportation have combined to open the door to devastating pandemics.

The 20th century saw HIV/AIDS first appear and then spread relentlessly over the entire planet, and far more contagious viruses such as influenza provoke explosive and brutal epidemics. The 21th century will stage the come-back of once controlled pathogens, a direct consequence of the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains.

Still, alarmism is out of place, as impressive progress has been made in the fight against infections through the application of rigorous hygiene principles, the creation of vaccines against viruses or bacteria, the development of methods for the rapid identification of infectious agents, and the increasingly educated use of antimicrobial drugs. A major investment has also been made in setting efficient public health structures to allow communities to detect and respond in a swift and efficient manner to emerging problems.

The 2008 Wright Colloquium will host world-leading experts to discuss the great epidemics of our times, including AIDS, tuberculosis, influenza and multi-resistant bacterial infections, in a holistic approach covering the historical, scientific, human, economic and socio-political perspectives of this all important problematic.

Prof. Didier Trono and Daniel Lew