Press release

CREATION OF THE "ECOLE PASTEURIENNE D'INFECTIOLOGIE"
(EPI - INSTITUT PASTEUR SCHOOL OF INFECTIOLOGY)

The Institut Pasteur has recently created the Ecole Pasteurienne d'Infectiologie (EPI - Institut Pasteur School of Infectiology). Faced with the increase in infectious and parasitic diseases, the Ecole Pasteurienne d'Infectiologie provides training in epidemiology and public health on emergency procedures and means of control for epidemics.

These courses are aimed at those working with bio medics, but also cater for all people working in sanitary provisions in France or elsewhere in the world: development specialists, sanitary engineers, geographers, economists, personnel in the food and pharmaceutical industry, working for NGOs, international organisations, etc. The Ecole Pasteurienne d'Infectiologie benefits from the assistance of experts from French and foreign universities and many other bodies involved in public health: the Institut Pasteur International Network, Sanitary agencies and National Reference Centres, INSERM (National Institute of Health and Medical Research), IRD (Development Research Institute), CIRAD (International centre for Agricultural Research for Developing Countries), INRA (National Institute of Food Research), National Veterinary Schools, etc.

Courses are provided in the form of classes over a 3 to 6-week period each year. The first course: "Clinical testing and infectious and tropical diseases" in November, brought in 20 students from 11 countries focusing on therapeutic or vaccine testing in tropical countries. The second course: "Circulation of Pathogens and control of risk" will be held from 12 January to 27 February 2004. Approx. twenty students from 9 different countries have been chosen. New training courses will be available next year within the context of the Institut Pasteur School of Infectiology, each course will lead to an Institut Pasteur Diploma.

The Institut Pasteur School of Infectiology is part of the teaching activities of the Institut Pasteur which accepts students in its teaching centre and provides experience in its laboratories. Fifteen theoretical and practical post-graduate courses are led by international scientists and organised in collaboration with the Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris 6) and Denis Diderot (Paris 7) universities. Last year, 277 students of 36 nationalities followed the courses of the teaching centre and 783 students of 55 nationalities undertook work experience in the Institut Pasteur laboratories.

Find out more:
http://www.pasteur.fr/formation/EPI.html
http://www.pasteur.fr/formation/externe.html

Contacts :

- Press Office, Institut Pasteur, Paris
Phone : 33 (0) 1 45 68 81 46 ; e-mail : presse@pasteur.fr
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