CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory

The CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) is a national centre of excellence in disease diagnosis, research and policy advice in animal health. AAHL is a major facility of CSIRO Livestock Industries. AAHL opened in 1985 at a cost of over A$150 million, and is one of the most sophisticated laboratories in the world for the safe handling and containment of animal diseases.

The CSIRO AAHL facility in Geelong and employs over 250 staff. AAHL is funded by the Australian Federal Government, via CSIRO and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. It is also funded by industry organisations and commercial companies.

AAHL plays a vital role in maintaining Australia's capability to quickly diagnose exotic (foreign) and emerging animal diseases. This is achieved through ongoing research programs to develop the most sensitive, accurate and timely diagnostic tests, which are critical to the success of any eradication campaign in the event of a disease outbreak.

AAHL also undertakes research to develop new diagnostic tests, vaccines and treatments for endemic animal diseases of national importance. Major diseases of livestock, aquaculture animals, and wildlife, are studied. AAHL includes a high-biocontainment facility, to safely fulfill its major role of diagnosing emergency animal disease outbreaks. Within the high bio containment facility, AAHL contains modern animal facilities that can house a range of animal species up to biosecurity level four (BSL4), the highest level available.

For further information on CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory please visit: www.csiro.au/aahl