BEN HARRIS Medical Microbiology Scientist
Ben registered as a Medical Laboratory Scientist in 1978. Since then he has had an extensive career in the Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory field. In 1996, he Co-founded and was the Director of EnviroLink Laboratory Ltd (NZ food and water testing laboratory – microbiology). He has numerous publications on mycology, respiratory and urinary microbiology.
HIS TOPIC WILL INCLUDE:
• Are there more emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) than there used to be?
• Where did they come from? Why?
• What is a R0 value - why is this critical in epidemics?
• If SARS, a coronavirus, could be isolated/eliminated - why not COVID-19?
• Will the COVID-19 case definition detect most cases?
• How is COVID-19 clinically differentiated from seasonal influenza?
• Is asymptomatic carriage a risk for cross infection of COVID-19
• Are masks effective?
• What is the environmental survival time of COVID-19 ?
• What are effective disinfection and hygiene products?
• What is the mortality rate, which age groups and comorbidities have the greatest risk
