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By better understanding how infectious diseases work, we've contributed to protecting our people, and way of life, through the development of better treatments and stronger eradication methods.

Immunity and natural hosts

Our scientists are putting the spotlight on the immune response to zoonotic infections in the natural host and spillover species. They are investigating how these host-pathogen interactions may impact how diseases are diagnosed and treated in the future.

Ebola virus research Protecting animal and human health

Our scientists, located at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong, Victoria, are part of a global effort to understand the deadly ebolavirus so that we may prevent further outbreaks like the current situation in parts of West Africa.

Developing the world's first Hendra vaccine Protecting animal and human health

In 1994, a deadly new virus threatened to stop Australia's premier horse race – the Melbourne Cup. Over the next 16 years, 18 outbreaks of the now infamous Hendra virus were recorded through Queensland and NSW.

Avian Influenza in Indonesia Our global role

Our team at AAHL is helping track avian influenza in Indonesia using molecular mapping.

Bats confirmed host of SARS virus Protecting animal and human health

Our scientists, in collaboration with research partners, identified bats as the natural reservoir of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-like coronaviruses.

Controlling the global spread of rotavirus with a vaccine Biomedical manufacturing

We are supporting not-for-profit global health organisation PATH in their rotavirus vaccine development project, benefiting communities globally.

Foot and mouth disease preparedness Our global role

We're working to protect Australia and its neighbours from foot and mouth disease, one of the most serious biosecurity threats facing Australian agriculture.

Fighting Nipah virus Protecting crops and animals

In 1998-99 an outbreak of a disease caused by a new virus, now called Nipah virus, killed more than 100 people and infected thousands of pigs in Malaysia. Our scientists were part of the international task force to tackle the virus and later participated in research to better understand the virus.

Studying disease-carrying insects Protecting animal and human health

Our scientists are studying disease-carrying mosquitoes and other insects to understand what viruses they carry, how they develop immunity to the diseases they carry and how they transmit disease throughout the environment.
Read next: Future science in health

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