Programme

Thematic sessions

  • Session 1: Virology
  • Session 2: Virus/host-omics
  • Session 3: Immunology
  • Session 4: Clinical Presentations and Diagnosis
  • Session 5: Pathogenesis
  • Session 6: Vaccines and prevention

Preliminary programme schedule

 Pre-symposium course of "Avian Anatomy, Histology and Pathology"

Monday June 29, 2026

08:30 - 09:00   Pre-symposium registration - Welcome coffee
09:00 - 09:30   Introduction to the courses 
09:45 - 12:00  
Practicals
12:00 - 13:15   Lunch
13:15 - 15:30  
Practicals
 

 MDAH 2026 symposium

Monday June 29, 2026

14:00 - 20:00   Symposium registration
14:30 - 17:30   Guided tour of Namur (duration: 2h - groups of 25 people max)
18:00 - 19:00  
Opening ceremony - Lecture by Karel A. "Ton" Schat
19:00 - 21:00  
Welcome dinner with Belgian delights

Tuesday June 30, 2026

08:30 - 10:00   Keynote lecture by Benjamin Dewals (Liège, Belgium) & Oral communications
10:00 - 10:30   Coffee break
10:30 - 12:00   Oral communications
12:00 - 13:00   Lunch
13:00 - 15:00   Oral communications
15:00 - 15:30   Coffee break
15:30 - 16:15   Panel Discussion: "Field perspectives on Marek’s disease challenges"
16:15 - 17:15   Poster session - Odd numbers
17:15 - 18:30   Free time
18:30 - 22:00   Boat cruise on the Meuse & Dinner

Wednesday July 1, 2026

08:30 - 10:00   Keynote lecture by Sébastien Pfeffer (Strasbourg, France) & Oral communications
10:00 - 10:30   Coffee break
10:30 - 12:00   Oral communications
12:00 - 13:00   Lunch
13:00 - 14:30   Oral communications
14:30 - 15:00   Coffee break
15:00 - 15:45   Panel Discussion: "Bridging scientific research and field realities in Marek’s disease"
15:45 - 16:45   Poster session - Even numbers
16:45 - 18:00   Free time
18:00 - 18:30   Cable car to the Citadel of Namur
18:30 - 22:30   Gala dinner at the Castle of Namur
22:30   Return by bus to the hotel

Thursday July 2, 2026

08:30 - 10:00   Oral communications
10:00 - 10:30   Coffee break
10:30 - 11:45   Oral communications
11:45 - 12:30  
Closing ceremony:
Boehringer Ingelheim Karel Schat Awards
Meeting wrap-up by Marc Parcells, Newark, Delaware, USA 
12:30   Lunch box distribution