Geelong scientists awarded for horse flu response

11/11/2008 3:01:13 PM CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory

20 October 2008

A team of Geelong scientists has received recognition for its significant contribution to the national effort to control and eradicate the highly contagious Equine Influenza (EI).

The team, based at the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), received its award at CSIRO’s prestigious Strategic Excellence Awards ceremony, held in Melbourne last month.

The outbreak of EI in August 2007 proved to be the largest emergency animal disease event in Australian history and although primarily involving two infected States, thousands of horses across the country were tested during the course of the outbreak.

According to AAHL Director Dr Martyn Jeggo AAHL’s ability to rapidly and accurately diagnose the disease underpinned the immediate action, involving Federal and State Governments and industry organisations, to contain and eradicate EI.

“The outbreak virus was successfully isolated by AAHL scientists, enabling full genetic sequencing of this particular strain,” Dr Jeggo said.  “This information helped determine the probable source of the infection and assisted veterinary authorities in selecting the most appropriate vaccine strain to use in the face of the Australian outbreak.”

Throughout the emergency, the AAHL EI team worked, around the clock when necessary, to provide a range of diagnostic services, including the development, validation and standardisation of four diagnostic tests and the transfer of these tests to state-based laboratories.

“There was a true partnership between scientists at AAHL and those working in State laboratories, particularly in New South Wales and Queensland, that ensured a genuine national ‘one laboratory’ approach to meeting the enormous testing demands associated with the outbreak,” Dr Jeggo said.

Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Andy Carroll said Australia’s freedom from many of the major transboundary animal diseases depends greatly on the integrity and strength of Australia’s animal health system.

“AAHL is one of the core components of our animal health system and the expertise and high quality laboratory support that AAHL provided during the emergency played a critical role in the national response,” Dr Carroll said.  “The AAHL EI team contributed to making possible the eradication of EI in Australia and accelerated the national process of reclaiming status of freedom of the disease.”

Comprehensive monitoring took place not only in New South Wales and Queensland, but also in Australia’s non-infected states and territories.

“Eradicating EI from Australia is a significant achievement,” Dr Jeggo said.  “Australia should be proud as we are one of the few countries to eradicate the disease thanks to the team effort between Federal and State levels.”


Further Information:
Dr Martyn Jeggo, CSIRO Livestock Industries’
     Telephone: +61 3 5227 5511; Martyn.Jeggo@csiro.au

Dr Andy Carroll,  Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer
     Telephone: +61 2 6272 3572; Andy.Carroll@daff.gov.au

Media Assistance:
Emma Wilkins, CSIRO Livestock Industries
     Telephone: +61 3 5227 5123 ; Emma.Wilkins@csiro.au