Emerging Zoonotic Diseases Summit

Dear Colleague,

Mark your calendar and make plans to attend the Emerging Zoonotic Diseases Summit scheduled Tuesday, August 23, 2005 in Gainesville, Florida at the Hilton UF Hotel and Conference Center.

If zoonotic diseases are able to gain a strong foothold in the U.S., it is anticipated that potentially severe damage to human and animal health could follow, without early detection and rapid response. The purpose of this summit is to facilitate information exchange amongst the network of professionals involved in responding to disease out-breaks and for the prevention and/or reduction of losses. Most importantly, this event will provide numerous opportunities to discuss common concerns and up-to-date research on emerging diseases with colleagues from throughout the country. Participants will receive eight hours of training and instruction, and a Certificate of Completion will be provided upon conclusion. Advance registration is required with enrollment limited to the first 100 registrants.

We encourage you to register early and we invite you to join us for this important event.

Sincerely,

Carina Blackmore, DVM,PhD
Acting State Public Health Veterinarian
and Manager for the Zoonotic and Vectorborne Disease
and Toxicology Programs

National subject matter experts will talk about the epidemiology and challenges of prevention and control of a handful of zoonotic diseases, most with the potential to cause widespread human disease either naturally or as bioterrorist weapons. Opportunities for better integration of human and animal disease surveillance and disease control efforts will also be discussed.

This event will provide numerous opportunities to discuss common concerns and up-to-date research on emerging diseases with colleagues from throughout the country. Participants will include:

Because this is a highly specialized program and there is no fee to attend, space is limited to the first 100 participants, and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the course is full.

What Does Registration Include? Registration includes one copy of the summary of presentations, instructional materials, a certificate of completion, refreshment breaks and served lunch.

Click in the "Register Now" box below to register. All registrations must be submitted online via this web site.

Cancellation Policy: Because there is limited seating, the course will undoubtedly fill. Therefore, should you need to cancel your registration, please do so no later than August 9 so we can notify interested applicants if any seats become available in the Summit.

Special Needs: Participants with special needs can be reasonably accommodated by contacting the Office of Conferences & Institutes at

least 10 working days prior to the summit. We can be reached by
phone at 1-352-392-5930, by fax at 1-352-392-9734, or by
calling 1-800-955-8771 (TDD), within the state of Florida.

The Hilton University of Florida Conference Center
1714 Southwest 34th Street
Gainesville,Florida 32607
PHONE: (352) 371-3600
WEB: www.ufhilton.com

The summit will be held at The Hilton UF Hotel and Conference Center. Facilities include a complete business service center and all hotel rooms have a large desk with lamp for working after-hours, WebTV, Ethernet ports, dual-line telephones and analog ports for modem access. A small number of guest rooms have been reserved for the night of Monday, August 22 at a special per night rate of $99 single or double occupancy (plus 10% – if you are

exempt from Florida sales tax, you will be required to present proper documentation at check-in, and pay with a government issued credit card or check.) Call the hotel directly at (352) 371-3600 to make a reservation and identify yourself as a participant of the Emerging Zoonotic Diseases Summit. If the host hotel fills and you are not able to get a reservation, instructions for overflow hotel properties will be posted on this web site.