Joaquim Segalés, Chair of the 6th International Symposium on Emerging and Re-emerging Pig Diseases Organizing Committee, writes:

On behalf of the 6th International Symposium on Emerging and Re-emerging Pig Diseases Organizing Committee, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to Barcelona, Spain. As in previous editions – starting in Minneapolis (USA) in 1991 – the efforts of this International Symposium have been to bring together scientists and veterinarians from various disciplines working around the world in the passionate field of novel and economically significant diseases in swine.

Across its history, this International Symposium had different names and included different scientific topics. At first, the focus was on Aujeszky's disease (AD) but in the last two editions the focus shifted to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), swine influenza (SI) and post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). PRRS and PMWS are still two of the most relevant pig diseases worldwide and, in consequence, they will continue being the core of this Symposium.

But SI should not be forgotten. The emergence of the novel pandemic human influenza virus A (H1N1) in 2009 awoken the fear of a global threat for human health. Although the evolution of the influenza pandemic has not accomplished the most dramatic predictions, this episode reinforced the notion that pigs may play a substantial role in the generation of new influenza viruses. Therefore, SI will be again another of the issues of the present Symposium.

In addition, and most importantly, the 2011 Symposium aims at fostering the coherence of its essence: emerging and re-emerging pig diseases.

We wish practitioners and scientists from around the world coming to Barcelona to present the most recent and relevant information on emerging and re-emerging diseases of pigs and, accordingly, sessions for these presentations will be also held.

Spain is a magnificent and beautiful country and tourist/vacation possibilities are almost endless. Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city in which you will feel at home. You can choose from culture to environment and nature, from sea to mountains, from exhibitions to partying… you will surely meet up with your match. Discover, taste, experience and enjoy!

Hope to see you in Barcelona in 2011!

Further Reading

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You can find out more about the Symposium by clicking here.