Collaboration key to keep them abreast of new diseases in check

The cooperation of a wide range of scientific disciplines is one of the most important factors in efforts to detect and fight against outbreaks of new infectious diseases such as influenza A (H1N1), in a world leading virologists, University of Texas Medical Branch Dr. Thomas Ksiazek.

The presentation of last night's 2009 Snowdon courses at the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) in Geelong, Dr. Ksiazek said, the concept of "one biology - the integration of several scientific disciplines - has played an increasing role increasingly important in identifying if zoonoses - those of humans and animals - are originating.

In his presentation, Emerging Infections - A biological approach to the discovery of new pathogens, he said the world before the outbreak of an unknown zoonotic diseases each year, many of which were fatal, both human and animals.

"Over the past 20 years we have seen the emergence of diseases, including a very disturbing: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome - a deadly disease of rodents - the SARS virus, Hendra virus and unknown Ebolaviruses and Arena Viruses," said Dr. Ksiazek.

"With a number of skills, as the epidemiology and virology classic, researchers not only new ways of determining where the disease has its origin, but to be able to quickly identify factors that help the virus to its natural hosts of animal or human populations. "

AAHL Director Dr Martyn Jeggo said the concept of how scientists from different fields, for and against new emerging infectious diseases, the way forward.

"A surprising 75% of emerging diseases in humans have found their origin in animals," said Dr Jeggo.

"The concept of" one health "and" one of biology is increasingly important in the fight against zoonotic viruses. It is the communication on all aspects of healthcare man , animals and the environment. "

AAHL Since the establishment, the laboratory has been at the forefront of discovery and control of some key emerging zoonoses in the last ten years. In 1994, AAHL scientists Hendra virus identified, has played an important role in the elimination of Nipah virus - a close relative of Hendra Virus - from Malaysia and in discovering that bats are the animals reserve similar SARS corona virus.

AAHL will continue to play its role in the "One Health" and the host of the 1st International Congress of Health in Melbourne in November 2010.

Dr. Ksiazek working within the Galveston National Laboratory and the Department of Pathology at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA. Snowdon The conference takes place every two to three years in honor of Dr. Bill Snowdon, director of the Foundation AAHL.