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Issue 52 | May 2009
For the past quarter of a century, CSIRO has managed the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) at Geelong as a major national facility to help protect Australia from the threat of exotic (foreign) and emerging animal diseases.
AAHL plays a vital role in maintaining Australia's capability to quickly diagnose
such diseases which threaten Australia's livestock, aquaculture species, wildlife and humans. This is underpinned through ongoing research programs to develop the most sensitive, accurate and timely diagnostic tests as well as studies on the pathogenesis
of viral infection, both of which are critical to the success of any eradication campaign.
Included at AAHL is a high bio-containment facility to safely fulfill AAHL's major role of diagnosing potentially lethal outbreaks of exotic animal disease. This facility was specifically designed to confidently contain disease agents dangerous to Australia's livestock and wildlife.
AAHL also has the ability to operate at the highest biosecurity level – Biosecurity Level 4 (BSL4). Such facilities allow staff to safely undertake research whilst bio-containing the most infectious disease agents known, including those posing a risk to humans as well as animals.
Opened in 1985 and costing more than $160 million, AAHL's construction required:
To replace AAHL today would cost more than $650 million.
The Australian Federal Government funds AAHL via CSIRO and the Australian Federal Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Responding to emergency animal disease outbreaks: AAHL helps to maintain Australia's capability to quickly diagnose these threatening diseases.
Assisting neighbouring countries tackle infectious animal diseases: AAHL scientists are supporting south-east Asian countries in their efforts.
RNAi technology a growing focus at AAHL: Researchers at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory are involved in research focussing on controlling diseases and improving production traits in livestock species through RNA interference (RNAi).
Meeting the national need for high biocontainment laboratories: Key professionals meet to discuss issues and plans related to future disease threats.
A look inside CSIRO's Australian Animal Health Laboratory: Watch how AAHL has become an important national facility crucial for Australia's livestock industry.
Lab provides rapid response to emergency animal disease outbreaks: Watch the virtual tour of this new state-of-the-art laboratory.
Research aims to reduce spread of deadly horse virus: Listen as Deborah Middleton explains how the virus is transmitted from horse to horse and from horse to human.
Re-think on how to beat a major poultry disease: Listen as Anthony Keyburn talks about a major discovery
he made during his research.
Managing diseases borne by bats: Listen as Linfa Wang explains why bats
are a favourable hosts for disease.
Meet Wilna Vosloo: CSIRO newcomer, Wilna is an internationally renowned foot and mouth disease expert. 'CSIRO can proudly say we have one of the most recognised FMD experts in the world',
says AAHL Director.
Meet Linfa Wang: Internationally recognised expert in identifying new and emerging diseases of bat origin, recognises 'you can be a world famous scientist and still maintain the humble nature of an ordinary human being'.
