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YOUNG RESEARCHERS ASSESS AUSTRALIA'S READINESS FOR EMERGING DISEASES
3 December 2004

FIFTY of Australia's brightest young minds from a range of science and technology disciplines gathered in Brisbane recently to brainstorm solutions to national biosecurity threats from diseases affecting humans, animals, plants and aquatic organisms.

The 2004 High Flyers Think Tank entitled Emerging Diseases – Ready and Waiting? was hosted by the Australian Academy of Science and focused on Australia's preparedness to deal with the increasing threat of new diseases in today's world of increased global trade, tourism and bioterrorism.

The event opened with presentations from some of the nation's eminent experts including Professor Aileen Plant, Head of the Centre for International Health and Deputy CEO CRC for Biosecurity, and Dr Martyn Jeggo, Director, Australian Animal Health Laboratory.

The Think Tank was facilitated by Academy President Dr Jim Peacock, who is also one of the first three scientists appointed to Biosecurity Australia's Eminent Scientists Group, recently formed to strengthen the import risk analysis process. He says delegates at this year's event discussed novel applications of their research to improve biosecurity preparedness in strategic areas such as surveillance, prevention, response and recovery.

Dr Peacock said wonder drugs such as antibiotics are increasingly coming under pressure from the development of drug-resistant strains of pathogens, while emerging diseases of humans originating from animals are also on the rise.

'Last year the world threat from deadly SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) had authorities struggling to contain the spread of the disease. This outbreak also had a major impact on the global economy, especially tourism,' he said.

'With the avian influenza virus again causing deaths in South-East Asia, the time is right for a multidisciplinary approach to biosecurity by pooling the skills and enthusiasm of fresh young talented minds. The High Flyers Think Tank provides such a fertile environment for information sharing and across-discipline innovation.

Emerging diseases are not restricted to humans and animals. Agricultural products such as grains and fruit and native forests are at risk, as shown by case studies from the Think Tank. In the last decade, mass fish kills across southern Australia caused by a herpes virus severely affected in-shore fishing industries across three seaboard states.

The Think Tank concluded that despite some early successes, Australia is not well prepared for emerging diseases and there is significant need for improvement in all four areas of human, animal, plant and aquatic health. The young researchers identified gaps and issues and proposed a way forward, with ten recommendations for how science, technology and improved governance can address Australia's current limitations and build on current strengths.

The proceedings and outcomes of the Think Tank are available at the Academy website http://www.science.org.au/events/emergingdiseases/index.htm.