19th International Leprosy Congress: Welcome Note

The International Leprosy Association is glad to announce that the last details are being arranged by the Scientific Committee and the China Organizing Committee to finalize the preparation of the 19th International Leprosy Congress. From September 18 to 20, 2016, Beijing will be the center of leprosy science making the 19th ILC the largest scientific gathering around the world to discuss exciting themes related to the congress moto: Unfinished business: stopping leprosy transmission, preventing disability and promoting inclusion. There will be 2 special presentations; 60 years of leprosy control in China by the Professor Zhang Guocheng and The immune response at the site of infection in leprosy by Robert Modlin (USA). There will be four stimulating Plenary Sessions focused on A Global Strategy for Leprosy Control fit for Purpose, Innovations to reduce transmission, Advances in clinical management of leprosy and Promoting inclusion of people affected by leprosy. A remarkable number of 730 abstracts were submitted. After the peer review 470 abstract were approved for poster presentation and around 260 titles were selected for oral presentation by the Scientific Committee. The presentations will be organized into the following sessions: Best clinical practice, health systems, training and referral, Chemotherapy, Reactions and nerve injury, Dermatology. Ophthalmology. History, Human rights and Discrimination, Social aspects, Participation, Immunology and vaccines, Microbiology, Molecular biology and Genetics, Epidemiology, Leprosy Control, Prevention – prophylaxis, Transmission and diagnostics, Neglected Tropical Diseases and other mycobacterial diseases, Nerve function and impairments, Prevention of disability and Rehabilitation. There will also be 16 Workshops on focused topics such as U-MDT, Diagnostic Tests, GIS and Mapping, Leprosy Control in Francophone Africa, ENL, Discriminatory Legislation, Drug Resistance, Enabling Participation, Data Systems, Leprosy and Migration in the United States, and 3 Symposia from the Leprosy Research Initiative. The International Leprosy Association is one of the oldest scientific associations and its aim is to encourage collaboration between persons of all nationalities concerned in leprosy work; to facilitate the dissemination of knowledge of leprosy and its control and to help in any other practicable manner the fight against the leprosy endemic throughout the world. In this connection, the 19th International Leprosy Congress is being organized to offer opportunities of interaction and live discussion to a variety of participants from many areas involved in the efforts to help those affected by leprosy and in the challenge of preventing further transmission of the disease. You are cordially invited to participate in this exciting congress. We aim to provide a scientifically stimulating and socially enjoyable forum to meet and discuss results and ideas aiming to achieve world without leprosy related problems. Marcos Virmond ILA President W. Cairns Smith Chair–Scientific Committee 19th ILC Guacheng Zhang President–China Leprosy Association