The Pasteur Institute of Saint Petersburg and the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing of the Russian Federation were among the organizers of the Fifth International Conference on Combating Infectious Diseases which took place on December 12 and 13, 2024 in Saint Petersburg. The conference aimed to strengthen international cooperation, foster scientific exchange, and enhance the national capabilities of partner countries in the fight against infectious diseases. Bringing together over 330 participants from 26 countries, the event included representatives from government agencies, the scientific community, and various fields such as epidemiology, virology, bacteriology, immunology, biology, medicine, and information technology.

The conference featured two plenary sessions, ten breakout sessions, and a roundtable discussion, during which 104 reports were presented. Experts showcased the latest advancements in synthetic biology, genomics, information technologies, artificial intelligence, and big data, with particular emphasis on their application in epidemiological surveillance. Delegates exchanged experiences on addressing new and recurring infectious threats, discussing successes and challenges in combating natural focal diseases, vaccine-preventable infections, respiratory illnesses, viral hepatitis, HIV, and antimicrobial resistance. The outcomes of international cooperation in these areas were highlighted at both regional and global levels. As a result of the conference, a resolution was adopted.

Two faculty members from the Virology Group of the Pasteur Institute of Iran participated in the conference. Dr. Ali Maleki, from the COVID-19 National Reference Laboratory (CNRL), served as one of the co-chairs for the session on "International Experience in Combating Infectious Diseases". He also presented on “The Significance of External Quality Assessment (EQA) in Infectious Disease Management”. Additionally, Dr. Mostafa Salehi-Vaziri, from the Arboviruses and Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Department, engaged in discussions with prominent Russian researchers regarding various infectious diseases, particularly viruses such as influenza, COVID-19, and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF). During these meetings, the initial steps for establishment of a collaborative scientific group, focusing on arboviral diseases and specifically CCHF was propsed among the Pasteur Institutes of Iran, Saint Petersburg, and Dakar.

News Link:

https://www.pasteurorg.ru/article/363/4362/The-V-International-Conference-on-Combating-Infectious-Diseases-is-finished