Sri Lanka and the rest of the Asia Pacific region has been severely affected with dengue and other flaviviruses. Dengue fever and its severe forms — dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome — have become major international public health concerns. Over the past few decades, there has been a dramatic global increase in the frequency of dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, with a concomitant increase in disease incidence. Countries in the region are also experiencing outbreaks of encephalitis and other neurological diseases due to flavi and other emerging viruses. Even after the implementation of public health programs to control the vector, there does not appear to be a reduction in the burden of these infections. This conference will bring people together to discuss how the burden and complications arising from these emerging viruses can be reduced. Organizers hope it will be an opportunity to strengthen existing collaborative efforts and to develop new opportunities to make progress.

The Asia Pacific Conference of Emerging Viral Infections is being hosted by the Centre for Dengue Research, University of Sri Jayawardenepura on September 20-21, 2018.

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