Meeting review: options for the control of influenza VI

A pandemic outbreak of viral influenza could occur if highly virulent zoonotic strains (such as avian H5N1) were to acquire the ability to transmit among humans. This possibility has increased concern, interest, and investigation in the influenza field. This heightened interest was reflected in the participation of numerous health officials, clinicians, and scientific investigators in the Sixth Conference on the Options for the Control of Influenza held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada from June 17-23, 2007. A recurring theme was that H5N1 viruses and the now-available reassortant/recombinant viruses from the 1918 pandemic have striking pathological and molecular similarities. Understanding these similarities, and how the viruses differ from currently circulating strains will be critical for timely preparation of the appropriate vaccines and antiviral therapies if a new pandemic should arise. To that end, this international conference was a fully comprehensive exchange of information covering public health, pandemic planning/preparedness, current and developing vaccines, animal ecology/zoonosis, mathematical modeling, virology, and viral immunology. In this review I will focus on basic research of pathogen-host interactions and immune responses to influenza A virus reported at this conference.