ISRV history
In 2003, a core group of five distinguished influenza scientists, Geoffrey Schild, John Watson, John Wood, Lars Haaheim, and Karl Nicholson first developed the concept of the International Society of Influenza and other Respiratory Virus Diseases (ISIRV). The idea of the Society came from the desire to have a truly international scientific organization that would bring together those working in diverse areas of influenza and other respiratory viruses, and those in different organizational groups spanning government, academia, industry and public health groups.
The society was officially launched in Sept 2005, at the 2nd European Influenza Conference hosted by the European Scientific Working group on Influenza (also known as ESWI). It was recognized that we were in a new and more complex era for influenza with the emergence of zoonotic influenza A viruses like highly pathogenic avian H5N1 and H7N7 viruses that had both caused unprecedented outbreaks of human disease, and were newly recognized as pandemic threats with potentially devastating consequences.
In addition, the sudden appearance of SARS coronavirus in 2002 and 2003 and the associated epidemic of human disease drew attention to the importance of improving our understanding of other viral respiratory diseases. It was also recognized that the long-standing network of influenza surveillance labs and influenza specialists were among the people called upon to investigate the novel SARS CoV, highlighting the overlap and synergy in respiratory virus surveillance and research. Furthermore, the increasing diversity and sub-specialization of scientists working in the field of influenza and other respiratory viruses underscored the need to bring together scientists from all areas – from basic science to healthcare policy – to work together towards a single goal of prevention and control.
The 2005 launch of ISRV came after over a year of planning by the core group of European Scientists who were joined by Nancy Cox from the USA as the 6th founding board member. At inception, ISIRV also had the backing of 28 other internationally renowned influenza scientists who signed on as founding general members and who together with the founding board members represented 13 countries. Today ISRV has over 1,100 members from more than 50 countries.
Dr Geoffrey Schild was the first Chairperson of ISIRV, John Wood, the first Secretary and John Watson the founding Treasurer.
ISIRV was also formed to be the permanent “home” of the Options for the Control of Influenza Conference series, the largest international Conference devoted exclusively to influenza.
A main mission of ISRV has been to provide a forum for the exchange of information and international collaboration on influenza and other respiratory viruses. In addition to the three Options for the Control of Influenza Conferences held in in 2007, 2010 and 2013, other years 2022 and 2024 a series of smaller ISRV meetings have offered an intimate forum for discussions on specialized topics. The Special Interest Groups have facilitated many of these smaller meetings and they have developed into an international series of meetings such as including those organized by the Antiviral Special Interest Group, the Neglected Influenza Viruses Special Interest Group and the International RV Society (iRSVs Special Interets Group).
Now known as Schools of Respiratory Viruses, ISRV runs a regular series of 5-day residential and one-day mini-Schools. The first school – the Siena Summer School, was the brain-child of our one of our founding members, the late Lars Haaheim together with Emanuele Montomoli who developed the concept of a 5-day course that provided basic knowledge on influenza viruses and public health control and prevention strategies. The Schools specifically targets young scientists embarking on a career in influenza and is seen now by ISRV as its flagship for educational outreach and mentoring for the next generation of influenza scientists.
In November 2024, the Society members voted to change the name of the Society to the International Society for Respiratory Viruses (ISRV). At the same time, members voted to adopt new Articles of Association.
