ABOUT ISIRV

The International Society for Influenza and other Respiratory Virus Diseases (ISIRV) is an independent and international scientific professional society promoting the prevention, detection, treatment, and control of influenza and other respiratory virus diseases.

ISIRV was founded in 2005 as the first scientific society with a fully worldwide remit focussed on influenza and respiratory virus disease.

Influenza and acute respiratory virus disease is a field of public health of major international importance.  Recent epidemiological events - the 2009 pandemic of H1N1 influenza, first identified in Mexico; the occurrence of human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) in China; the emergence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV); and ongoing outbreaks of virulent avian influenza A(H5N1) in several countries; continue to highlight the requirement for international collaboration on respiratory virus research and development.  

These ongoing events serve as a reminder of the importance of clinical and laboratory research, scientific communication and global collaboration to contribute to the early detection and containment of respiratory virus outbreaks.

The Mission of ISIRV embedded in its statutory documents is:

The relief of sickness and the preservation of health by promoting the prevention, detection, treatment and control of influenza and other respiratory virus diseases throughout the world

As a global scientific society ISIRV fulfils this mission through promoting the exchange and dissemination of information, facilitating the interaction of scientists and of public health specialists, and the promotion of international collaborative efforts against these diseases.