David Koh
Professor and Head
Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore

3 April 2007
Several viral diseases, never seen before in humans, have recently emerged in various countries in the Asia-Pacific. These include Henipavirus (Hendra and Nipah viruses), Coronavirus (SARS coronavirus) and Influenza (H5N1) viral infections. The emergence of these illnesses has been driven by environmental changes, as well as changes in human population structure and behavior. These illnesses can be severe with high mortality rates. For instance, Nipah virus infection presents as encephalitis. 265 cases were reported in Malaysia in 1998-99, of whom 105 patients died (40% mortality). SARS and avian influenza infections can result in severe acute respiratory distress. The mortality rate for SARS is about 11%, with 916 deaths among 8,422 cases reported in the global outbreak that affected 29 countries in 2003.

Human cases of H5N1 avian influenza were first diagnosed in 1997 in Hong Kong, and recurred in 1999. Since 2003, human cases have been reported and laboratory confirmed in countries such as China, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Iraq, Turkey, Egypt and Azerbaijan. A worrying concern is that this might herald the outbreak of a worldwide influenza pandemic.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

David Koh is Professor and Head of the Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. He qualified in medicine in the University of Singapore and obtained his PhD from the University of Birmingham. He is a Fellow of both the Faculty of Public Health and the Faculty of Occupational Medicine in the UK, and the Academy of Medicine in Singapore.

Last updated on 25 Jun 08

Image Source

DATE: 3 April 2007 TIME: 3.30pm to 5pm VENUE: SEI Training Room , Environment Building, #06-00, Singapore 228231 COURSE FEE: Nil

ENQUIRIES:
Please call 67319208 or email nea_seicustomer@nea.gov.sg