Pre-conference: Scenario-based workshop Pandemic Preparedness. An interdisciplinary approach to scientific advice during pandemic outbreaks.  

Tuesday 12 November, 13:30 – 17:00 Lisbon time (starting with network lunch at 12:30)


Organised by

Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Center, Erasmus MC, Netherlands  

Background

In this scenario-based workshop, we will simulate a avian influenza pandemic, challenging the participants to create an interdisciplinary response and advice to decision makers. The workshop is intended for participants with expertise from a broad range of disciplines, such as biomedical, behavioral, social and economics sciences and others.

After Covid-19, evaluation and advisory reports have indicated the need for a more interdisciplinary approach and integrated advice framework for pandemics. We are currently facing a worldwide Avian Influenza H5N1 pandemic among wild birds and poultry, with various cases of infected mammals and mammal-to-mammal transmission of the virus. Globally, there have been increased detections of A(H5N1) viruses in non-avian species including wild and domestic (including companion and farmed) terrestrial and marine mammals and, more recently in goats and dairy cattle in the United States of America. Since the beginning of 2021, 28 detections of A(H5N1) in humans have been reported to WHO, including a case who had exposure to dairy cattle presumed to be infected with A(H5N1) virus. Avian Influenza has the capability, through mutation or reassortment, to transform into a human-to-human transmissible virus.[1]

The program of the workshop is as follows:

  • The workshop will start with the presentation of the Avian Influenza scenario, followed by three small presentations on the biomedical, social & economic background of the outbreak.
  • The participants will be divided among into either a biomedical or a socio-economic group, based on their own expertise and experience. These groups are tasked to identify the risks of the outbreak, the best & worst case scenario and the impact of the outbreak on the society.
  • After a short break the groups will be mixed into interdisciplinary groups. During this second part, the participants will exchange their findings of the first part and are tasked with integrating these into an interdisciplinary advise for policy makers.
  • The workshop will end in a plenary setting again, with a sailboat retrospective to reflect and evaluate.

The participants will be guided through this scenario-based exercise to explore the skills of teamwork, open communication, critical thinking, and decision-making under pressure. The exercise will serve to improving our preparedness for future pandemics, as they demand swift and effective collaboration across disciplines for integrated advice addressing diverse consequences and priorities

Programme

13.30-13.45: Introduction

13.45-14.15: Presentations on scenario & biomedical, social and economic background

14.15-14.45: Reflection on scenario in separate domains

14.45-15.00: Break

15.00-16.15: Interdisciplinary exchange & integral advice

16.15-17.00: Reflection & evaluation

Programme leaders

  • Jeannette de Boer MD, head of education, PDPC
  • Dr. Tomris Cesuroglu, scientific secretary, PDPC
  • Bart Blokland, scientific researcher, PDPC

Registration

The registration fee is EUR 75. Networking lunch and refreshments are included. Number of registrations is limited to 50 persons.

 

[1] https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/joint-fao-who-woah-preliminary-assessment-of-recent-influenza-a(h5n1)-viruses