The European Hematology Association’s annual conference is the latest in a long line of medical conferences to be cancelled in the wake of COVID-19.

The 25th EHA Annual Congress was due to take place in Frankfurt, Germany on June 11-14, 2020. However, the organising committee says it is in the process of organising a virtual meeting to take its place.

“By organizing a virtual congress we will provide participants with the opportunity to follow sessions and to interact with presenters and other participants on the original congress days and beyond. The virtual format will include contributions from invited speakers and abstract authors selected by our Scientific Program Committee. Contributions from our industry partners will also be included,” President of the EHA John Gribben said in an announcement.

The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemotasis (ISTH) Annual Congress due to take place in Milan in July has also been cancelled because of the impact of the pandemic in Italy and beyond. It too will become a virtual meeting.

“The ISTH 2020 Virtual Congress will offer a rich and robust program online that will focus on the highlights of the already prepared scientific and education program, with tools that will allow attendees to connect and participate” the organisation said in a statement.