AAHL is helping boost the ability of countries in the region to control and eradicate infectious animal disease.

CSIRO researcher, Mr Chris Morrissy (centre), training overseas scientists.

AAHL Regional Program

CSIRO Livestock Industries' Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) is supporting Southeast Asian countries in their efforts to control and eradicate infectious animal diseases.

  • 20 October 2008 | Updated 14 October 2011
  1. Overview
  2. Capacity building projects
  3. Controlling avian influenza in the region
  4. Controlling foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and classical swine fever (CSF)
  5. Protecting prawns and shrimp

Overview

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CSIRO's Diagnosis Surveillance and Response group provides diagnostic services, enhanced surveillance and the capability to respond to emerging and exotic animal diseases. The Group also coordinates the Australian Animal Health Laboratory's (AAHL) Regional Program.

This Program aims to build capacity and skills in disease diagnosis in Southeast Asian laboratories, boosting the ability of countries in the region to control and eradicate infectious animal diseases.

This support not only reduces the disease risks to the countries themselves but also assists the preparedness of Australian biosecurity through better threat assessment and management. 

The Program operates 13 projects, focusing on three animal diseases exotic (foreign) to Australia:

  • foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV)
  • classical swine fever (CSF) and
  • highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).  

Numerous government organisations fund these projects including:

  • Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), manages the Australian Government's overseas aid program which aims to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development in developing countries

  • World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), an inter-governmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide
    Supporting countries in the region in the control and eradication of animal disease assists the preparedness of Australian biosecurity through better threat assessment and management.

  • Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), an Australian Government statutory authority that operates as part of Australia's aid program within the portfolio of Foreign Affairs and Trade

  • Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre (AB-CRC) for Emerging Infectious Disease, a national organisation that aims to equip disease managers and members of the community across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region with the knowledge and skills for responding to emerging infectious diseases

  • Collaboration for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD) Program, an Australian Government initiative to assist the Government of Vietnam. The program focus is delivery of high quality relevant research and development projects to 'increase the productivity and competitiveness of Vietnamese smallholder agriculture and related rural enterprises'

  • Food Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations. Serving both developed and developing countries, the FAO acts as a neutral forum where nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. FAO assists developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices and ensure good nutrition for all.

Projects are organised by disease or area of research focus within this overview document.

Read more about Diagnosis, Surveillance and Response.