(10/05/06)

MTCC to Host more than 4.000 Infectious Disease Specialists October 12-15, 2006

TORONTO, ON – More than 4,000 physicians and researchers from around the world will gather for the 44^th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the HIV Medicine Association of IDSA (HIVMA), to be held October 12-15, 2006 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC). This is the Society’s first-ever meeting outside the United States.

Symposia and other sessions will cover timely, practical topics such as new vaccines, practice guidelines, electronic tools for ID, and visual diagnosis. Attendees will learn the latest on

infective endocarditis, Clostridium difficile, Staphylococcus aureus, acute HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, pandemic influenza, and more.

“With cutting-edge science and collegial interaction, IDSA 2006 promises to be an informative and enjoyable educational opportunity for infectious diseases and HIV professionals from around the world. We are delighted to be in Toronto and are grateful to our Canadian colleagues for their warm hospitality,” said Arturo Casadevall, MD, PhD, chair, IDSA Annual Meeting Program Committee, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.

The opening Special Plenary Session will feature Dora Nkem Akunyili, BPharm, PhD, of Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, who will discuss her successful efforts to rid Nigeria of counterfeit medicine—a plague that has resulted in treatment failures, drug resistance, and death of people throughout West Africa. Harvey Rubin, MD, PhD, of the University of Pennsylvania Institute for Strategic Threat Analysis and Response will talk about the need for an international treaty in the war against infectious diseases. Other key presentations and speakers will include:

Antivirals for Influenza: Personal Prescriptives on Flu Bugs and Drugs, by Frederick G. Hayden, MD, FIDSA, University of Virginia Health Science Center, Charlottesville, VA

The Global Human Resource Crisis for Infectious Diseases: A Role for IDSA, by Allan R. Ronald, MD, FIDSA, St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Sepsis and Anthrax, Two Distinct Processes: Potential Mechanism(s), Death, and Interdictions, by W. Michael Scheld, MD, FIDSA, University of Virginia Health Systems, Charlottesville, VA

The Global HIV Epidemic: Perfect Storm, Silver Lining, by Wafaa El-Sadr, MD, MPH, FIDSA, Harlem Hospital Center, New York, NY

“We are very pleased to be welcoming IDSA to Toronto,” said Barry Smith, the MTCC’s CEO. “These sessions will feature the latest noteworthy scientific discoveries in the field of infectious diseases and will include symposia on such hot topics as bioemergencies, tuberculosis, hepatitis C, HIV and the promises and challenges of new vaccines for children and adolescents.”

Smith added that the MTCC anticipates this major convention will produce significant revenue for Toronto’s hotels, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues, with an overall economic impact of approximately $6.4 million in direct spending.

“We’re honoured that IDSA chose Toronto to host its annual meeting,” said Bruce MacMillan, President and CEO of Tourism Toronto. “IDSA is amongst several elite medical meetings the city has hosted this year.”

About IDSA

IDSA is an organization of physicians, scientists and other health care professionals dedicated to promoting human health through excellence in patient care, education, research, public health, and prevention relating to infectious diseases.

Major programs of IDSA include publication of two journals, The Journal of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Infectious Diseases, an Annual Meeting, awards and fellowships, public policy and advocacy, practice guidelines and other membership services. The Society, which has about 8,000 members, was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Alexandria, Va. For more information, visit www.idsociety.org.

About Tourism Toronto

Tourism Toronto, Toronto’s Convention and Visitors Association, is an industry association of more than 1,000 members established to strategically sell and market the Greater Toronto Region as a remarkable destination for tourists, convention delegates and business travelers around the globe. For more information on Tourism Toronto, please visit, www.torontotourism.com.

About the MTCC

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is Canada’s #1 convention and trade show facility and one of the finest in North America. With more than 2 million square feet of state-of-the-art space, it is considered a world-class, tier-one facility. Since its opening in 1984, the MTCC has hosted approximately 10,000 events, entertained nearly 40 million guests and has had a multi-billion dollar direct and indirect economic impact on the City and Province. For more information on the MTCC, please visit www.mtccc.com.