WHO collaboration

World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for the Molecular Epidemiology of Parasitic Infections based at Murdoch celebrated its 20th anniversary this year.

Originally focusing on the biology and variation of a particular parasite Echinococcus, the Centre has expanded its outlook over time to include the diagnosis and control of giardiasis, cryptosporidiosis, malaria, hookworm sleeping sickness and surra.

Researchers also maintain a reference collection of parasites and help to train workers from other countries in various laboratory techniques involved in the molecular characterisation of parasites.

Projects undertaken by this Centre have a positive impact on people around the world with current research focusing on the epidemiology and control of: surra in south east Asia; hydatid disease in Iran; parasite zoonoses in India and the Pacific; and water borne protozoan diseases in several countries.