Epidemics in a Changing World - Department of Innovation, Industry ...

While we do have systems for coordination, surveillance, surge response, and intervention,
we have been fortunate that:
• we have not had more epidemic emerging infectious diseases to deal with
• we have not had to deal with a highly transmissible and lethal emerging infectious
disease yet
EpidemICs in a Changing World
Report of the Expert Working Group
18
• we have not had to deal with a sustained outbreak of such an emerging infectious diseases
(i.e. one lasting months to years).
While it is recognised that as a small nation we are unable to cover the full range of expertise
in all fields, we need to have sufficient capacity to provide flexibility in our preparedness for
dealing with epidemic diseases.
Furthermore, we need to possess expertise at the highest international level in many areas in
order to provide a tradeable knowledge base that will allow access to overseas expertise. An
example is the earlier strong research profile in virology that allowed Australia to become a
major international contributor in the times of Burnet, Ada, and Fenner. However, while there
are isolated current pockets of strength, we are losing our expertise in this critical discipline.
Critically, we need active ongoing monitoring of the demand and supply of essential epidemicrelevant
expertise, in order to respond to the changing global environment. Currently,
independent ad hoc decisions by authorities, government agencies and educational institutions
may cause unintentional shortfalls in the breadth, depth and availability of essential expertise in
Australia. National workforce planning is required for this critical field, encompassing the many
disciplines required.
A recent report 61 outlined gaps in the ageing cohort of Australian taxonomists. Of particular
relevance to this work is the potential shortage of entomological taxonomists; these specialists
are at the front line in the identification of potential disease vectors. One example of our
vulnerability in the area of entomology is our reliance on overseas expertise on midges – the
vector for bluetongue viruses. One of two Australian midge experts died during the course of
compiling this Expert Working Group Report, and the other is retired (aged 81). Australia has
limited domestic capacity to fill the gap when this expertise is no longer available.
Another example is the recognised Australian shortage of animal health specialists. Diagnosis
and management of animal disease requires a wide range of expertise, including pathology,
virology, and bacteriology; anticipated Australian shortages in the relevant disciplines have
been clearly identified. 62
Recommendation 1
In order to underpin our preparedness to deal with emerging epidemic diseases we
recommend that:
Australia possesses the human capacity to combat potential epidemics
The nation must be prepared and sufficiently agile to deal with unexpected epidemics.
This requires that we develop, maintain and retain skilled people through:
• conducting ongoing national workforce planning for expertise in human and animal
epidemic diseases; and
• boosting higher education and research training in areas of need.