The isirv Epidemiology Group was established at the Options for the Control of Influenza VIII conference in Cape Town in September 2013.
Purpose
The purpose of the isirv Epidemiology Group is to promote the scientific understanding of how respiratory viruses spread in populations, to study the characteristics and consequences of epidemics, and to provide practical information on the effectiveness and impact of interventions and control measures to promote public health.
Scope
Epidemiology is the science of the study of the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations.
The scope of the isirv Epidemiology Group includes:
- the descriptive epidemiology of influenza and other respiratory viruses (patterns in incidence, severity and burden etc);
- characterization of transmission dynamics;
- design of epidemiologic studies;
- appropriate statistical and mathematical models for the analysis of epidemiologic data;
- estimation/prediction of the effectiveness of interventions and control measures.
Membership
Membership is open to all members of ISIRV. Members can join the isirv Epidemiology Group via the members' area of the ISIRV website.
Recent Activities
The first isirv Epidemiology Group Conference Incidence, Severity and Impact of Influenza 2016 took place at Institut Pasteur in Paris, France from January 21-22, 2016 with more than 100 international participants. It was agreed to hold regular scientific meetings and to take this SIG further in close collaboration with the ISIRV Board.
The 2nd and most recent meeting, Incidence, Severity and Impact of Influenza 16-18 January 2019 was organised in collaboration with ECDC, and held at their new headquarters in Stockholm. A copy of the Programme can be found here
Planned Activities
An EPI Panel is currently in in the planning stage, to be held as an evening event at OPTIONS X in Singapore
The isirv Epidemiology Group is also planning the development of scientific isirv Epidemiology Workgroups open to registered members.