Scientists preparing for future disease challenges

By November 12th, 2007

New and emerging animal diseases, Australia’s equine influenza (EI) outbreak and the fact that 75 per cent of emerging human diseases originated in animals, are among the hot topics for discussion at the 13th International World Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (WAVLD) Symposium in Melbourne this week.

The three-day conference, which will focus on a range of animal diseases including foot and mouth disease, bluetongue disease, avian influenza and EI, was officially opened this morning by the Victorian Minister for Agriculture, Joe Helper.

WAVLD Co-Chair, the Director of the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) in Geelong Dr Martyn Jeggo, says the main aim of the conference is to update scientists from around the globe on the latest information on infectious animal diseases and the role major laboratories like AAHL play in preparing, identifying, controlling and eradicating these diseases.

The President of the Australian Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) and WAVLD Co-Chair, Dr Peter Kirkland, will be among the speakers at the special plenary EI session, which was added to the WAVLD Symposium program following the recent outbreak of the disease in Australia.

“The three-day conference, which will focus on a range of animal diseases including foot and mouth disease, bluetongue disease, avian influenza and EI, was officially opened this morning by the Victorian Minister for Agriculture, Joe Helper. ”

Australian and international scientists will discuss the international risks associated with EI, the current global situation and the response by Australia including the role of diagnosis and characterisation of the exotic disease and the challenges and highlights faced at a laboratory level. 

“Australia’s EI outbreak has raised a number of fascinating questions beyond the simple one of where did EI come from including how best to mount an effective response to a large scale emergency, what different diagnostic tests have to offer and what options there are in recovering from such an event,” Dr Kirkland says.

According to Dr Kirkland the national objective of containment has been achieved, through rapid application of movement restrictions linked to a range of other control measures, and should lead to eradication.

Dr Jeggo said the conference theme; ‘Preparing for animal health challenges of the future’, provides an excellent opportunity to consider the contributions veterinary laboratories worldwide make in more effectively managing current and emerging animal disease threats at the national, regional and global level.

For more information please visit the WAVLD conference website at: http://www.wavld2007.com/ 

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Fast facts

  • New and emerging animal diseases, Australia’s equine influenza (EI) outbreak and the fact that 75 per cent of emerging human diseases originated in animals, are among the hot topics for discussion at the 13th International World Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (WAVLD) Symposium in Melbourne this week
  • The three-day conference, which will focus on a range of animal diseases including foot and mouth disease, bluetongue disease, avian influenza and EI, was officially opened this morning by the Victorian Minister for Agriculture, Joe Helper
  • Australian and international scientists will discuss the international risks associated with EI, the current global situation and the response by Australia including the role of diagnosis and characterisation of the exotic disease and the challenges and highlights faced at a laboratory level