Dear colleagues,

It is my great pleasure to invite you to participate in the forthcoming 4th International Congress of the Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control, on 5 -8 July 2009, in Macau, China.
“Controlling Infection for Safer Hospital and Safer Community”, the theme of the Congress, explains a close connection between hospital and community. SARS and avian influenza are two of the remarkable diseases in the world that bring turbulence in the worldwide healthcare system. The disruption of diseases in the community and healthcare environment brings socio-economic and political turmoil. The shock to the society and healthcare system was absorbed quickly due to the efforts of extensive evidence-based knowledge and global experience sharing.
Nowadays, diseases are unpredictable. The scope of infection control is much wider and it has extended to the community. The emergence of infectious diseases in the community, increase of mobile population, changes of setting in which care is delivered and shorten length of stay in hospitals are some factors that explicate the reasons for infection control in the community. Controlling and preventing infection in the community is an escalating challenge as much as in the hospital. This unbreakable chain between the community and the hospital will strengthen the infection control infrastructure.
To meet the challenges, it is crucial to gain knowledge and share experience for best practices and quality improvement in this arena. The organizing committee is delighted to hold this international infection control congress co-jointly with the Asia-Pacific Society of Infection Control. This congress offers the delegates great opportunity to meet leading speakers from all over the world who will share excellent thoughts, experience and scientific information in this field.
This congress will give you richness in knowledge as well as a taste of historical culture. The fast-changing Macau offers you many attractions listed in the World Historical Heritage. Macau is also a gourmet paradise of international cuisines that makes everyone’s mouth waters.
On behalf of the organizing committee, I cordially invite you to attend this Congress to benefit from the expertise and to experience the unique culture of Macau.
I look forward to meeting you in “Vibrant Macau”.

Dr. Kong CHAN
Organizing Chairman