Ebola & ASLM2014: Conference Moving Forward

Ebola Special Session Highlighted

21 October 2014

Dear ASLM community,

As I write to you today, my thoughts are with our colleagues bravely fighting on the front lines of the Ebola outbreak.

Through extensive conversations internally and externally, ASLM is committed to moving forward as planned with the ASLM2014 international conference  in Cape Town, South Africa, 30 November-4 December 2014.

First and foremost, I want everyone to be safe and healthy, and ASLM encourages all delegates and potential delegates to evaluate their personal comfort levels regarding attendance at ASLM2014.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has not recommended any travel bans, nor called for cancellation of any meetings/conferences, and they have recently certified Nigeria and Senegal as Ebola-free. Moreover, no case of Ebola has been reported in South Africa. The South African National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) is working hard to ensure all travellers remain safe. To read the latest Travel Advisory from NHLS, please click here.

ASLM has also established an Ebola Laboratory Resource Centre accessible at www.aslm.org/ebola.

The ASLM2014 Scientific Committee, led by Dr. Rosanna Peeling, has assembled a world-class programme providing valuable educational opportunities for delegates at all career levels. A special session on Ebola will be presented at the conference. To review the full ASLM2014 Scientific Programme, please click here.

The record-breaking number of abstract submissions and acceptance to ASLM2014 has demonstrated the strong will to strengthen laboratory systems in Africa. ASLM is committed to providing a forum for networking, education, and peer-to-peer learning at ASLM2014. To date, participants from more than 49 countries have already registered.

I look forward to seeing you in Cape Town.

Sincerely,

Tsehaynesh Messele
Chief Executive Officer, ASLM

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For media inquiries, contact Corey White, communication@aslm.org.