The programme kicks off on Saturday, 6 August, with a timely symposium, “Emerging and Reemerging Zoonotic Diseases,” which will focus on zoonotic avian influenza outbreaks, particularly HPAI H5N1 and, most recently, H7N9 outbreaks in humans in China.

Led by featured speaker Robert O’Connor, DVM, Foster Farms, the five-hour session will also focus on data collection and analysis for effective disease prevention and control, as well as communicating science-based information to legislators, media and the general public.

The conference’s three-day scientific programme begins on 7 August, and features 232 oral and poster presentations on avian influenza, intestinal health, respiratory disease, immunity management, Marek’s disease, bacteria management, virology, diagnostics, food safety, flock welfare and related topics.

In addition, the scientific programme will include a symposium, “Blackhead Disease of Poultry,” which is being held on 8 August, with the support of the US Food and Drug Administration.

The keynote speaker for this year’s AAAP conference will be Guillermo Zavala, DVM, who will present, “Emerging and Reemerging Poultry Diseases: An International Perspective.” Mr Zavala is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Georgia and founder of the consulting firm Avian Health International.

The American Association of Avian Pathologists is an international association whose mission is to promote scientific knowledge to enhance the health, well-being, and productivity of poultry to provide safe and abundant food for the world. For more information about the 2016 AAAP conference, click here or visit aaap.info.