Media Invitation: A lecture by Professor Philip Mellor: Bluetongue Disease and Climate Change
Tuesday 8 July 2008
Members of the media are cordially invited to a lecture by Professor Philip Mellor entitled 'Bluetongue Disease and Climate Change', to be held at the University of Surrey on Monday 28 July, 6.00 p.m. - 7.30 p.m.
The lecture will begin with a brief discussion of those climatic variables that are likely to influence the distribution and incidence of vector-borne diseases such as bluetongue (i.e. diseases transmitted by mosquitoes etc). An explanation of how these variables may induce their own particular effects will be included.
The talk will then move on to describe the recent changes in the world distribution of bluetongue virus and its vectors focussing on Europe from 1998 until 2008. It will be argued that the recent changes, both in terms of virus distribution and the species of vectors transmitting the virus, can be linked to climate change.
Suggestions of what this might mean for the future, in a time of ongoing climate change, will be set out.
Professor Mellor is the senior arbovirologist at the Institute for Animal Health.
He is responsible for the organisation and planning of research on all aspects of vector-borne virus diseases of animals.
The work involves detailed investigations into the epidemiology and transmission of these diseases.
In addition, Professor Mellor is required to advise both British and foreign governments, and other international organisations on matters dealing with the ‘import-export’ of animals and animal products, together with advice on ‘risk assessment’ for a variety of diseases of international importance.
- Reception and lecture: School of Management
- Drinks reception: 6.00 p.m.
- Lecture: 6.30 p.m.
Media Enquiries
Peter La, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: +44 (0)1483 689191, or Email mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk