On behalf of the Southern African Society for Veterinary Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine I am pleased to invite all participants to the 17th Annual SASVEPM Congress to be held at the Coastlands Hotel in Umhlanga Kwazulu-Natal, from 19-23 August 2019.

The congress will be held on 21, 22 and 23 August and will be held under the theme “Field epidemiology in action”. This is appropriate at a time when despite over a century of veterinary service and animal disease control in South Africa, we still bear the burden of endemic and emergent epidemic animal and zoonotic diseases in Southern Africa. This year, we would like to draw attention to challenges and opportunities on the field: where animal disease begins and where the veterinary and para-veterinary profession has the expertise to end it or prevent it.

SASVEPM 2019 is honoured to have Dr Sascha al Dahouk, a global expert on human brucellosis and an epidemiologist, to present the key note presentation in a special ‘One Health: Brucellosis’ session during the three day congress. We also look forward to a special ‘Laboratory and Diagnostics’ session. We welcome abstracts specifically for these sessions.

We are also planning a pre-congress training course/workshop which will be held on 19 and 20 August 2019. The course will focus on basic field epidemiology to improve basic skills in outbreak investigation, surveillance and data management. The training course/workshop will be aimed at veterinarians and para-veterinarians and will be CPD accredited.

We look forward to providing the opportunity for participants to share, discuss and debate research findings on the beautiful east coast of South Africa.

PROGRAMME
Please click here to download the preliminary programme.

REGISTRATION
– Congress fee includes annual membership fee.
– Full registration fees include attendance to all social events – RSVP is however required.
– Day registration fees do not include attendance to the social event on that day, and should be booked for separately.

• Delegate – Congress only @ R5,600
• Delegate – Congress day registration @ R1,750 p/d
• Pensioners – Congress only @ R2,500
• Pensioners – Congress per day @ R1,200 p/d
• Student – Congress only @ R1,850
  
• Student – Congress day registration @ R750 p/d
• Accompanying persons – Welcome reception @ R200
• Accompanying persons – Gala Dinner @ R440
  

To register, please click on this link

ACCOMMODATION
With breath taking views of the Indian Ocean and Kwa Zulu Natal’s North and South Coast, this modern, 4-star hotel boasting 136 bedrooms are situated on the ridge of the popular corporate and leisure Umhlanga Rocks. All rooms offer either full sea view or partial sea views and magnificent views of the surroundings.  Bedrooms are equipped with King Sized beds, Flat screen Tv’s, laptop safes, individually controlled air-conditioning, Tea & Coffee making facilities and amenities that will ensure you have a comfortable stay. Wi-fi is also available. 

Gateway theatre of shopping, the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere is a mere 6 minute walk away from the hotel offering a huge variety of fashion, electronic stores and entertainment facilities.

Accommodation Rates
We have negotiated special rates at the Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel:
– R1,200 single room
– R1,400 double room/sharing
– R2,500 family room (4 sleeper)
Above rates includes bed & breakfast 

– R1,595 single room
– R2,165 double room/sharing
Above rates includes dinner, bed & breakfast

Accommodation Bookings
Accommodation, should be reserved through the intermediary of Turners DMC who has secured preferred rates for participants. If you book directly with the hotel you might not get the same preferential rates.

Please contact Bruce Rumble for all your hotel requirements: [email protected]

We look forward to providing the opportunity for participants to share, discuss and debate research findings on the beautiful east coast of South Africa.

Dr Krpasha Govindasamy
President, SASVEPM