Who We Are

Formation concept developed by Geoffrey Schild, John Watson, John Wood, Lars Haaheim, and Karl Nicholson, recognizing the need for an international scientific organization in the field of influenza and other respiratory viruses.

Initial planning and development phase involving core European scientists and expanding to include Nancy Cox from the USA as the sixth founding board member.

September 2005 marked the official launch of ISIRV at the 2nd European Influenza Conference, hosted by the European Scientific Working group on Influenza (ESWI).

Establishment of ISIRV as the permanent home for the Options for the Control of Influenza Conference series, becoming the largest international conference devoted exclusively to influenza.

Another milestone for ISRV was the merger with the Neuraminidase Inhibitor Susceptibility Network (NISN) in 2011. NISN became the first Special Interest Group (SIG) of ISRV, the ISRV Antiviral Group. With Alan Hay (Trustee and Treasurer of ISRV from 20XX-2024) as its leader, the AVG has continued its mission within ISRV to promote understanding of clinical use of antivirals against respiratory viruses, track the emergence of antiviral resistance and provide expert knowledge on the development of new antiviral strategies.

To further address the diverse interests of members and to promote forums for specialty groups, ISRV established two more Special Interest Groups in 2013. The Epidemiology Special Interest Group, originally led by Ben Cowling, promotes the scientific understanding of how respiratory viruses spread and cause epidemics and to provide information on intervention strategies. The third Special Interest group is the Neglected Influenza Viruses Group, led by Stacey Schultz-Cherry, which promotes exchange of knowledge on viruses from different species and address gaps in knowledge of zoonotic and potentially zoonotic viruses.

September 2015 marked the 10th Anniversary of ISIRV celebrated and overview presented by Jacqueline Katz at the 9^th Annual General Meeting.

In response to the growing need for global collaboration and knowledge exchange, ISRV launched its official webinar series in 2020 (this being ‘The RSV webinar series’ at inception). These virtual events have connected experts, researchers, and healthcare professionals across continents—sharing insights, highlighting innovations, and advancing respiratory virus research in real-time. The series continues to grow, supporting education and engagement across our international network.

In 2023, ISIRV undertook a comprehensive strategic review to align its goals with the evolving landscape of respiratory virus research and global health challenges. This process included stakeholder consultation, internal evaluation, and external input—ensuring our direction remains responsive, collaborative, and impactful. The resulting strategy reinforces our commitment to advancing science, supporting innovation, and strengthening our global community.

To mark its 20th anniversary, ISIRV becomes the International Society for Respiratory Viruses (ISRV). This rebranding reflects a strategic shift toward a broader virological remit—recognising the pandemic potential of coronaviruses and the growing importance of interventions against RSV. A new website will also launch, modernising ISRV’s visual identity and strengthening its professional presence for the future.