COVID-19: Looking Back and Looking Forward (3-Part Webinar Series)

The world’s attention is understandably currently focused on how to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in this webinar series, we shift the focus to an examination of the broader question of WHY such a virus originated in the first place. We describe current frameworks and strategies that help identify risks and current tools in our arsenal that can be used to mitigate risks. We also pose the question 'how can we use our understanding and available tools to prevent future occurrences?'

Webinar 1:
The role of evolutionary and ecological factors in pandemics like COVID-19
2 Jun 2020, SGT 4pm - 5pm, Zoom
Registration Closed

Synopsis:
This session will provide an overview of the role of evolution in host-pathogen interaction within the ecological system and its impact on disease control and prevention. A collaborative lens will be applied to understand how our environment, animal health and human health are all integral parts of one ecosystem. The speakers will discuss the impact of systems of production, land usage, extraction of natural resources, etc. and on the increased risk of disease spill over.

Speakers:
Dr James Rudge
Assistant Professor in Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Communicable Diseases Policy Research Group (CDPRG Bangkok Office)
Prof Gavin Smith
Research Core Lead, SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute
Professor, Emerging Infectious Diseases Programme, Duke-NUS

Webinar 2:
Employing a One Health framework to examine emerging infectious diseases in the context of Global Health
9 Jun 2020, SGT 4pm - 5pm, Zoom
Registration Closed

Synopsis:
This webinar will pick up the thread of the main challenges and importance of the One Health approach in the fight against emerging zoonotic infections. It will explore strategies to prevent emerging infections through controlling the source. It will explain available tools, like surveillance systems, to fight these infections. The multi-disciplinary nature of actors and sectors involved in fighting emerging zoonotic infections will be emphasised.

Speakers:
Dr Erik Karlsson
Director, National Influenza Center for Cambodia and H5 Reference Laboratory
Institut Pasteur, Cambodia
Dr Ian Mendenhall
Faculty, SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute
Principal Research Scientist, Emerging Infectious Diseases Programme, Duke-NUS

Webinar 3:
Fast forward: How to prevent future pandemics?
16 Jun 2020, SGT 4pm - 5pm, Zoom
Registration Closed

Synopsis:
This session will explore the interlocking nature of the climate change and public health agendas. The speakers will discuss how international bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and others mitigate risks, coordinate responses and plan for the future. They will also speak about coordination required between organisations like the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), the Global Early Warning and Response System for Major Animal Diseases, Including Zoonoses (GLEWS) and the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) for early detection and control of disease at the animal-human interface. Funding requirements and the challenges involved in securing global cooperation across entities will also be discussed.

Speakers:
Prof Stuart Blacksell
Senior Research Scientist, Biorisk and Zoonosis group leader, Health & Safety team leader, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Bangkok, Thailand
Dr Mark Stafford Smith
Honorary Fellow – Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Canberra, Australia
Dr Katinka de Balogh
Senior Animal Health and Production Officer, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand

Moderator:
Prof Wang Linfa
Director, Emerging Infectious Diseases Programme, Duke-NUS
Faculty, SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute

Date and Time

16 Jun 2020 @ 16:00 - 16 Jun 2020 @ 17:00

Events

COVID-19: Looking Back and Looking Forward (3-Part Webinar Series)

Date and Time

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