Murdoch welcomes bird flu expert

This year has seen the possibilities of the threat of a pandemic of Highly Pathogenic Avian Infl uenza (bird fl u) register with people across the globe. Murdoch University has recently appointed one of the world’s experts in animal biosecurity to help expand Western Australian knowledge about the diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Infl uenza, SARS and Foot and Mouth Disease.

Senior Research Fellow Dr Trevor Ellis returned to Perth after six years in Hong Kong where he was involved in the establishment of a new state-ofthe- art animal health laboratory and had experience dealing with outbreaks of diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Infl uenza, SARS and Foot and Mouth Disease.

Dr Ellis is internationally recognised for his expertise and has consulted to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and FAO during the outbreaks of H5N1 avian infl uenza in Asia.

Dr Ellis has a PhD from Murdoch University and is a former Principal Veterinary Virologist with the Department of Agriculture in Western Australia where he was closely involved in WA and Australia’s preparedness and response to emergency animal diseases for 17 years. His role at Murdoch is to play an important role in the University’s plans to expand its capacity for international research and training in animal biosecurity.