Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of the Executive Board of IAFWP, welcome to the International Association for Food and Waterborne Parasitology – IAFWP. The Association and its official journal, Food and Waterborne Parasitology (FAWPAR) were founded in the fall of 2014 in an effort to bring together scientists and others engaged in various activities for the control of parasites transmitted to humans by ingestion of food or water. The scope of the IAFWP and FAWPAR includes all relevant parasites – protozoa, trematodes, cestodes, nematodes – that may be acquired from eating meat, vegetables, or fruit or by drinking contaminated water.
The biology and epidemiology of many parasites transmitted by food or water are poorly understood and control of these parasites in both humans and animals presents unique challenges. Some of the resulting widespread or serious parasitoses have recently been categorized as neglected diseases. Consequently, food and waterborne parasitology is increasingly recognized as a priority area for study, including the generation of knowledge for practical applications. The goals of both the IAFWP and FAWPAR are to play key roles in the dissemination of knowledge on all aspects of food and waterborne parasitology, to stimulate critical thinking, networking, and research collaboration ranging from basic to applied.
The demand for safe food and water continues to increase and many parasites remain a significant public health risk in both developed and developing countries, and a challenge for international trade and economies. National and international regulatory authorities have recently renewed efforts to address these issues. The IAFWP intends to serve as a major resource for knowledge to inform consumers and regulators of best practices for controlling parasites in the food and water supplies.
Sincerely,
Alvin Gajadhar, President
Ray Gamble, Chairman