Animal Biosecurity

Researchers and postgraduate students from the School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at Murdoch University are carrying out research on some of the major animal and zoonotic disease threats to Australia and our neighbours in Asia and the Pacifi c. Examples include highly pathogenic avian infl uenza, foot and mouth disease, swine fever, surra, porcine circovirus, Jembrana disease and diseases of wildlife.

Highly pathogenic avian infl uenza is currently the most serious threat to public health, birds and the environment in the region and research is being carried out to understand the patterns of spread of avian infl uenza with emphasis on establishing the risks of incursions to Australia. There is also research on improved diagnostic tests for avian infl uenza and the development and evaluation of innovative vaccines for control of avian infl uenza. The research is being carried out by Dr Trevor Ellis, a recognised international expert on avian infl uenza, Associate Professor Stan Fenwick, an expert in public health, and Dr Cassie James a researcher with expertise in the immunology of infl uenza viruses. They are supported by postgraduate students from Singapore and China.

Postgraduate students from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Taiwan are commencing epidemiological, laboratory and economic studies that will contribute to regional plans to eradicate Foot and Mouth disease in Southeast Asia. The research is being led by Professor John Edwards a former Regional Coordinator of FMD control in Southeast Asia and veterinary epidemiologist Associate Professor Ian Robertson. The projects are supported by the Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre and a range of state, national and international agencies.

Professor Graham Wilcox heads two important research streams. Work on Jembrana disease in cattle in Indonesia by Professor Wilcox and his postgraduate students has resulted in the identifi cation of the causative agent and now his team is developing vaccines for its control. Porcine Circovirus is associated with porcine multisystemic wasting syndrome of pigs and this disease has not been confi rmed in Australia. The development of diagnostic tools is an important aspect of this research.

Surra is another disease which is exotic to Australia and Dr Simon Reid is a national expert on this disease which affects a wide range of species. The work done by Dr Reid and his associates on surveillance in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the Philippines is an important part of Australia’s strategy for demonstration of freedom from surra and evaluation of methods of control in the event of an incursion.

The biosecurity work at Murdoch University is being carried out in partnerships with the Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre and other partners including the Department of Agriculture Western Australia, the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, the Australian Animal Health Laboratory, ACIAR, OIE and FAO.