The Australian Animal Health Laboratory at night in Geelong, Victoria.
About AAHL
CSIRO's Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) is a national facility and front line defence – helping to protect Australia from the threat of exotic and emerging animal diseases.
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21 May 2010 | Updated 2 July 2012
Overview
Summary
AAHL plays a vital role in maintaining the health of Australia's animals, the international competitiveness of Australian agriculture and trade, the well-being of Australians and the quality of our environment.
The laboratory is a national centre of excellence in disease diagnosis, research and policy advice in animal health.
AAHL is crucial for Australia's capability to quickly diagnose exotic (foreign) and emerging animal diseases – collectively known as emergency 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.
Our scientists develop new diagnostic tests, vaccines and treatments for both exotic and endemic animal diseases of national importance. We research major diseases of livestock, aquaculture animals and wildlife.
The laboratory's capacity to rapidly diagnose disease, combined with high quality research, makes it a global leader in a wide range of animal and zoonotic diseases – those that can pass from animals to people.
AAHL includes a high containment facility and is one of the most sophisticated laboratories in the world for the safe handling and containment of animal diseases.
Research
AAHL's major research areas include:
Diagnosis, Surveillance and ResponseThe Diagnosis, Surveillance and Response Group delivers CSIRO's national responsibilities in the area of emergency terrestrial animal and fish diseases, including diseases of wildlife and zoonotic diseases.
Partners and funding
Through partnerships with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO), AAHL is an accredited reference laboratory and collaborating centre for a range of diseases.
The international research community is able to access AAHL's high containment laboratories and specialist services for studies on infectious diseases that affect the health of animals and humans.
The facility is funded by the Australian Federal Government, via CSIRO and the Australian Federal Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. It also generates revenue from industry organisations and commercial companies.
Visitor information
Download the documents below to find out more about us, where we are and important things you need to now if you will be visiting AAHL.
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