Editorial

Dear EAN Friends,
Spring was quick, we hope you enjoyed it! So many things have happened in the World of EAN that it is impossible to put them all in the newsletter, although we will try.
Spring is the season for genetic mingling (some call it Love). Apparently this is true also in the viral world and a new virus was born, the H1N1. The little fellow is growing so quickly. Congratulations to the parents, whoever, wherever and whatever they are!
Many members of the Network have been pretty busy in dealing with H1N1 and we have the opportunity to read about the response to this epidemic (pandemic?) in our Special Focus on H1N1. The account of these experiences across the Network demonstrates its usefulness and urgent need in dealing with international emergencies.
Not everybody was busy with the flu during Spring. Some members tried to avoid the risk of H1N1 by travelling to Africa, a notorious safe-haven when it comes to infectious diseases. Ariane Halm (cohort 13) Lorenzo Pezzoli (cohort 12 and EAN Secretary), and Gabrielle Breugelmans (cohort 7) participated in WHO missions involving vaccination activities (Polio and Yellow Fever) in Africa. Sarika Desai (cohort 12) has been working in Zimbabwe for some months to contrast the cholera epidemic and will update us on the challenges that such a task entails.
We are also extremely proud to present the new EAN website in the Epi-Tools Section. Florian Burckhardt (cohort 12 and EAN webmaster) will describe how the new website should revolutionise communication among the EAN members.
For many of us summer will be busy, for some it will be also holidays, hopefully. Wherever you are, locked in an EOC 24/7 or sailing the Mediterranean on a boat, don’t forget your copy of the EAN Newsletter, the must-read summer bestseller!