Infectious Diseases

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) refer to infections that have recently appeared within a population or those whose incidence or geographic range is rapidly increasing. These diseases often arise from zoonotic spill over—transmission from animals to humans—and include examples like Ebola, SARS, MERS, COVID-19, and Mpox. Factors such as globalization, urbanization, climate change, and ecological disruption contribute to the emergence and re-emergence of these threats. Understanding pathogen evolution, early warning systems, and global cooperation is vital to predicting and containing outbreaks. At this congress, experts will present research on emerging pathogens, genomic surveillance, field investigations, and pandemic modelling to enhance preparedness. This session will foster awareness, international coordination, and capacity building for detecting and responding to novel infectious disease threats.

Zoonotic diseases—those transmitted between animals and humans—account for over 60% of infectious diseases and 75% of emerging diseases worldwide. Examples include rabies, avian influenza, brucellosis, and more recently, COVID-19. These infections can spread through direct contact, consumption of contaminated food, or via vectors like ticks and mosquitoes. Urban encroachment into wildlife habitats, increased livestock-human interaction, and global trade have intensified zoonotic risk. Sessions at the congress will delve into the epidemiology of zoonoses, cross-species transmission, and strategies for integrated surveillance through the One Health lens. Highlighting case studies and cross-sectoral initiatives, the conference aims to build knowledge and partnerships to mitigate the growing burden of zoonotic diseases across human, animal, and environmental health domains.

The COVID-19 pandemic served as a wake-up call for the world’s vulnerability to large-scale outbreaks. Pandemic preparedness refers to the strategic planning, resource mobilization, infrastructure development, and policy frameworks necessary to detect and contain emerging infectious threats before they spiral into global crises. Key components include early surveillance systems, global cooperation, stockpiles of medical supplies, vaccine and diagnostic readiness, and trained public health workforces. At this conference, pandemic preparedness will be a key focus, with discussions centred around national strategies, lessons from COVID-19 and other outbreaks, and the importance of equitable access to healthcare resources. This track will also explore simulation exercises, risk communication, and innovations in rapid response to future pandemics—helping ensure that the global community is not caught unprepared again.

Vaccines remain one of the most effective tools for preventing infectious diseases. From smallpox eradication to the rapid deployment of COVID-19 vaccines, immunization has saved millions of lives. Today, researchers are leveraging technologies such as mRNA platforms, viral vectors, and protein subunits to develop faster, more adaptable vaccines against emerging and re-emerging pathogens. However, challenges remain—vaccine hesitancy, equitable distribution, cold chain logistics, and rapid variant evolution. This congress will feature discussions on the latest advances in vaccine science, including universal influenza vaccines, RSV immunization, and next-gen delivery systems. Experts will also explore policy frameworks for regulatory approval, public communication strategies, and pandemic-scale production. Attendees will gain insights into overcoming scientific, logistical, and societal hurdles to accelerate vaccine innovation and global coverage.

Global health security focuses on protecting populations from infectious disease threats, whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate. As the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated, diseases know no borders—and weaknesses in one country’s health system can have cascading global consequences. Global health security involves building robust surveillance networks, resilient healthcare infrastructure, rapid response capacity, and transparent international cooperation. It also requires investments in workforce training, laboratory systems, data sharing, and emergency communication. This session at the congress will emphasize the need for a unified global strategy, discussing WHO’s International Health Regulations (IHR), the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), and real-world examples of outbreak response coordination. Experts will explore how nations can collaborate to build preparedness and resilience, ensuring a healthier, safer world for all.

Climate change is reshaping the epidemiology of infectious diseases. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events are expanding the range of vectors like mosquitoes and ticks, contributing to the spread of Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, and Lyme disease. Waterborne diseases like Cholera and Leptospirosis also spike with floods and poor sanitation, while warmer conditions facilitate fungal pathogens like Candida auris. This session will examine how environmental shifts are influencing the emergence, transmission, and seasonality of infectious diseases. Topics include climate-sensitive disease modelling, ecological surveillance, and adaptive public health responses. By addressing the intersection of climate and disease, the congress will highlight the urgent need for integrated policies that support both planetary and human health.

Vector-borne diseases—transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and other vectors—are among the deadliest infectious threats globally. Malaria, dengue, Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Lyme disease continue to impact millions, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Changes in climate, urbanization, and global travel have contributed to the spread of these diseases into previously unaffected areas. The conference will host sessions on vector ecology, vector control technologies (e.g., insecticide-treated nets, genetic modification), surveillance systems, and vaccine development efforts. Emphasis will also be placed on community education and environmental management. As these diseases transcend geographic and political boundaries, cross-border cooperation and evidence-based strategies are critical to their prevention and control.

The One Health approach recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. It emphasizes that preventing and controlling infectious diseases requires collaborative, cross-disciplinary efforts involving physicians, veterinarians, ecologists, and public health professionals. Many infectious diseases—such as rabies, avian influenza, and brucellosis—are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and humans. One Health promotes early detection, joint surveillance, shared data platforms, and integrated policy-making. This session will explore how the One Health framework is being applied globally to manage zoonotic risks, antimicrobial resistance, and ecosystem disruptions. By adopting this holistic strategy, we can better anticipate, detect, and respond to emerging health threats at the source.

Viral infections remain a major cause of global morbidity and mortality. From seasonal influenza and measles to deadly outbreaks like Ebola, SARS, and COVID-19, viruses continually challenge public health systems. These infections spread rapidly through populations and often require prompt detection, containment, and vaccination strategies. Advances in virology, genomics, and digital surveillance have improved our understanding and response capabilities—but challenges remain in resource-limited settings. This track will cover the virology, transmission dynamics, and control strategies of major viral infections, with case studies from recent outbreaks. Emphasis will be placed on early diagnostics, genomic sequencing, and international coordination in outbreak response. Attendees will explore how science and policy can work together to reduce the global burden of viral diseases.

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), also known as nosocomial infections, occur during a patient’s stay in a healthcare setting and are not present at the time of admission. Common HAIs include bloodstream infections, surgical site infections, urinary tract infections, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. These infections often result from invasive procedures, improper sterilization, or antibiotic resistance, and they contribute significantly to patient morbidity, longer hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. This session will focus on infection control practices, antimicrobial stewardship, hand hygiene compliance, and the role of surveillance systems in identifying and mitigating HAIs. Discussions will also address innovations in hospital design, staff training, and technology-driven solutions like AI-assisted outbreak detection. Strengthening hospital infection control protocols is essential to improve patient safety and limit the spread of resistant pathogens.

Even after the initial pandemic wave, COVID-19 remains a dynamic global concern due to the emergence of new variants. Variants such as Delta, Omicron, and their sub-lineages have exhibited changes in transmissibility, immune escape, and disease severity. These mutations challenge vaccine efficacy and public health responses, highlighting the need for ongoing genomic surveillance and adaptive strategies. This session will cover the latest findings on SARS-CoV-2 evolution, global variant tracking, booster vaccine development, and long COVID impacts. Attendees will learn about how public health systems have adapted to the variant era and what lessons apply to future outbreaks. By understanding how COVID-19 continues to evolve, researchers and policymakers can refine strategies for response, treatment, and communication in a post-pandemic world.

Epidemiology—the study of disease patterns, causes, and effects in populations—is a foundational pillar of public health. Through surveillance, data analysis, and modeling, epidemiologists help identify outbreaks, track disease trends, and evaluate interventions. This session will explore how epidemiological methods guide decisions on vaccination campaigns, health education, and policy-making. Special focus will be given to modern tools such as real-time analytics, GIS mapping, and mobile data collection. The congress will also address the role of epidemiology in understanding disparities in disease burden and tailoring interventions for vulnerable communities. As public health continues to evolve, integrating robust epidemiological research with community engagement is key to creating responsive and equitable health systems.

Infection prevention and control (IPC) is critical for reducing the spread of infectious diseases in both healthcare and community settings. IPC includes protocols for hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), disinfection, waste management, and isolation procedures. These practices are especially vital in preventing outbreaks during pandemics or in high-risk environments such as intensive care units and nursing homes. At the congress, IPC experts will present on emerging global standards, outbreak containment strategies, staff training models, and the role of IPC in antimicrobial stewardship. Emphasis will also be placed on challenges in low-resource settings and innovations that make IPC scalable and sustainable. By strengthening IPC measures, we not only protect patients and health workers but also prevent the development and spread of resistant organisms.

Timely and accurate diagnosis is key to controlling infectious diseases. Rapid diagnostic technologies have revolutionized early detection and disease management, especially in outbreak scenarios. Point-of-care tests, lateral flow assays, CRISPR-based diagnostics, and next-generation sequencing have enabled quicker identification of pathogens—even in remote or low-resource settings. These tools not only guide immediate clinical decisions but also inform public health surveillance. This session will highlight recent advancements in diagnostic platforms, their integration into surveillance systems, and challenges related to accessibility, cost, and regulation. Real-world case studies will demonstrate how rapid diagnostics have transformed responses to diseases like COVID-19, malaria, and tuberculosis. As innovation continues, ensuring equitable access and accuracy of these tools will be vital to global health success.