- Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- HUG, Marcel Jenny Auditorium, 4 Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil, Geneva
- Free with registration
Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève
Evénement
Evénement professionnel
The Center for Emerging Viral Diseases is a joint institution of the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) and the University of Geneva (UNIGE). Since its creation, the center has established itself as a key player in the research, prevention, and response to emerging viral diseases.
For ten years, it has played a major role in the preparation and management of health emergencies, both at the national and international levels. Through its national reference laboratories for emerging viruses, influenza, measles and rubella, the center provides Switzerland with recognized scientific expertise, high-performance diagnostic capabilities and specialized know-how in the management of high-risk viral infections.
This anniversary will be an opportunity to reflect on a decade of commitment, innovation, and scientific collaborations, as well as to share our vision for the future.
Practical information
Program
8:15 – 12:15
8:30 Registration & Welcome
9h Welcome WHO
- Isabella Eckerle, Director, Center for Emerging Viral Diseases
- Pauline Vetter, Deputy Director, Center for Emerging Viral Diseases
9:15 Opening words
- Antoine Geissbühler, Dean, Medical Faculty, University of Geneva
- Klara Posfay-Barbe, Medical Director, Geneva University Hospitals
9:35 Emerging viruses and health crisis due to infectious diseases – The perspective of WHO
Abdi Rahman Mahamud, Director of Alert and Response Coordination Department of the WHO’s Emergencies Health Program, WHO Geneva
10:00 A research journey through emerging viruses
Gary Kobinger, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
10:25 Coffee break
11:00 Viral Hemorrhagic Fever: An Outdated Concept and Moniker?
Daniel Bausch, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland & National University of Singapore
11.25 a.m. Emerging viruses in Switzerland – the perspective of the OFSP
Parham Sendi, Head of Communicable Diseases Division, Federal Office of Public Health, Switzerland
11.50 a.m. Hot topic – The 2026 Bundibugyo outbreak – update on the situation
12.15. Fingerfood lunch
13:00 – 19:00
13:00 Mpox – the return of smallpox?
Laurent Kaiser, Infectious Diseases Division and Center for Emerging Viral Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals
13:35 Travel medicine in the last 10 years
François Chappuis, Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals
14:00 Innovation and new approaches in vaccinology
Arnaud Didierlaurent, Center of Vaccinology, Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva
14:25 From Enterovirus Emergence to Neurovirulence: Insights from Enterovirus A71
Caroline Tapparel, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva
14:50 Coffee break
15:20 GeTRIV: Geneva Translational Research in Infections and Vaccination
Benjamin Meyer, Center of Vaccinology, Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva (on behalf of the GeTRIV founding institutions)
15:35 A decade of the Center for Emerging Viral Diseases: A 360° tour of the activities
Isabella Eckerle, Manuel Schibler, Pauline Vetter, Frédérique Jacquerioz-Bausch, Andrew Azman
16:45 Closing words
Robert Mardini, CEO, Geneva University Hospitals
17:15 "Une longue danse avec les virus"
Dr. Laurent Kaiser, Infectious Diseases Division, Geneva University Hospitals
18:15 Cocktail