Pandemics and panic: Biosecurity in the spotlight

FRIDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2008

Top experts from Australia and the world will gather at The Australian National University next week to discuss threats to human health, biosecurity and our readiness to cope with them.

The forum – Biosecurity Challenges for Australia and its Region – will take place Monday 11 February and Tuesday 12 February at the Finkel Theatre at the University’s John Curtin Medical School. Over the two days it will bring together some of the world’s foremost experts on infectious diseases, biological weapons, bioterrorism, nanotechnology and the impacts of disease on economies and governments.

It has been organised by the National Centre for Biosecurity at ANU which was established in 2006 to further academic engagement with biosecurity challenges facing Australia, its immediate neighbourhood and the world.

Among the subjects for discussion over the two days are:

• Nanotechnology and Australia’s Biosecurity Policy
• Emerging infectious diseases and global health surveillance
• Pandemic influenza
• Disease outbreaks and society

The forum will also include a free public lecture on Wednesday 13 February. The lecture – Biosecurity: Upgrading the Web of Prevention – will be delivered by Professor Malcolm Dando from the Department of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom. Professor Dando will look at the danger of deliberate disease and what can be done to help scientists better prepare for biotechnology threats.

Media representatives are welcome to attend the majority of the sessions, but should check with the ANU Media Office. A full list of speakers and topics is available at: http://biosecurity.anu.edu.au

For more information or to arrange interviews contact:
Martyn Pearce, ANU Media Office – (02) 6125 5575 / 0416 249 245

WHAT: Biosecurity Challenges for Australia and its Region forum

WHEN: 11-13 February 2008

WHERE: Finkle Theatre, John Curtin Medical School, ANU, Garran Road, Canberra