Tuesday 17 May 2005
Bird flu expert to give next Science in the City lecture
How concerned should we be about Avian Influenza in New Zealand? Find out at the next Science in the City lecture on
Wednesday 25 May, 1.10pm-1.50pm at Our City O-Tautahi, cnr Worcester Boulevard and Oxford Tce. Renowned clinical
virologist Lance Jennings will talk on his recent World Health Organisation mission to Vietnam to review the Avian
Influenza situation there.
"The bird flu outbreak in Asia is an unprecedented event in the history of influenza. Changes in the pattern of human
infections in Vietnam this year suggest that this bird flu virus is adapting to humans," Dr Jennings said.
Dr Jennings works as a virologist for the Canterbury District Health Board and senior clinical lecturer for the
Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago.
Science in the City is a joint effort by the Canterbury Branch of the Royal Society and the Christchurch City Council to
provide free lectures on topical scientific issues, principally for people who work and live in the central city.
Lectures are held on the last Wednesday of each month, starting at 1.10pm.
ENDS