Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is set to host its first infectious disease conference in nine years. The event, named "Emerging Stronger: 2024 Illinois Infectious Disease Conference," will take place on April 23 and 24 in Bloomington. This conference is part of IDPH's monthlong celebration of the public health profession.

As the first such gathering since the COVID-19 pandemic, the two-day event aims to bring together hundreds of infectious disease experts. The focus will be on lessons learned from dealing with the global health crisis, strategies for moving beyond COVID-19, and combating misinformation related to public health.

The conference agenda includes over two dozen speakers. It will begin with a welcome message from IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra, who will introduce keynote speaker Dr. Katelyn Jetelina. Dr. Jetelina is known for her blog “Your Local Epidemiologist,” and her talk is titled “Reimagining Public Health for the 21st Century.” Heather Simpson, recognized as the “Ex Anti-Vax Mom,” will close out the conference with a session called “A Guide to Inoculating Yourself Against Anti-Vax Propaganda.”

Director Vohra expressed enthusiasm about relaunching the conference after nearly a decade: “Better understanding of new and old infectious diseases and working to prepare for future outbreaks will always remain a core part of our efforts to improve the health of Illinois’s communities."

Topics during the sessions include drug-resistant organisms in Illinois, novel vaccines for pregnant persons and infants, RSV prevention in children, cancer prevention through HPV vaccination, healthcare-associated infection response from a local health department perspective, immunization delivery to underserved populations, partnerships between UIC & IDPH against viral respiratory issues in long-term care facilities, and evolving perspectives on vaccinations during pregnancy.

The conference offers both in-person and virtual attendance options; however, registration for attending in person has closed. Virtual attendance remains open.

Additionally, one highlight will be presenting the David Baker Award for Excellence in Integrating Public Health and Infection Control. This award honors David Baker's contributions as an infection control expert at IDPH before his unexpected passing in October 2020.