Havana - The IX Congress of Microbiology and Parasitology has begun its scientific sessions today with debates on the branches of medicine that study infectious diseases.

The main issues of the event will be: Zika, dengue and other arboviruses, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, cholera, influenza, microbial resistance, strengthening of capacities, among others, the organizers posted on their website.

The meeting, taking place at the Havana's Conference Center, welcomes experts from more than 150 nations, including Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, El Salvador, Peru and the United States.

During the meeting, which will last until Friday, December 8, academicians will pay tribute to the eight decades of the Pedro Kouri Tropical Medicine Institute (IPK), an institution devoted to study infectious diseases.

At the same time of this congress is the Sixth National Congress of Tropical Medicine,the Seminar on HIV/AIDS infection in Cuba and the International Symposium of Chromoblastomycosis.

The academic program also includes the International Antimicrobial Resistance Symposium, and issues such as national and international experience in managing cholera, and the integrated control of arbovirus vectors will be addressed.