Australian scientists are at the forefront of combating deadly diseases within one of the country’s most secure facilities. The CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) in Geelong, located about an hour southwest of Melbourne, operates at the highest biosafety level, focusing on research involving highly transmissible and lethal pathogens such as Ebola and the Hendra virus.
Each day, Jennifer Barr, an experimental scientist and head of the Pathogen Investigation Team at the ACDP, undergoes a rigorous security protocol. This includes passing through six security checkpoints, removing her clothing, and navigating two steel airlocked doors. Once inside, she dons freshly laundered medical scrubs and, if entering the lab, a fully encapsulated suit connected to a separate air supply. This extensive safety procedure is essential due to the nature of the work being conducted.
Strict Safety Protocols in Place
Operating at biosafety level 4, the ACDP is one of the few high-containment laboratories in Australia. It was established in 1985, and its primary function is to conduct research on viruses that pose significant risks to both animals and humans. According to Dr. Debbie Eagles, the facility’s director, scientists work with pathogens for which there is no vaccine or effective treatment. “The suits protect us from the dangerous viruses that we’re working with,” Barr explained.
The ACDP employs a sophisticated containment design, featuring a “box in a box” structure. This design includes multiple layers of containment, with air pressure controlled to prevent leakage of infectious agents. The secure area is surrounded by a 30-centimeter thick concrete wall and is accessed only through airlocked doors. “We have increasing negative pressure as we move within the facility,” Dr. Eagles noted, emphasizing the engineering behind these safety measures.
Within this secure zone, researchers study a variety of animal and zoonotic diseases—those that can be transmitted between animals and humans. The work at the ACDP is vital for safeguarding livestock, wildlife, and public health against emerging infectious threats.
Research and Response to Outbreaks
The ACDP plays a critical role in diagnosing and responding to outbreaks of animal diseases. In March 2024, the facility was involved in addressing avian influenza outbreaks across poultry farms in Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory, which resulted in millions of birds being culled and severely impacted the nation’s egg supply.
Dr. Eagles stated that ACDP scientists utilize genetic testing to identify different strains of avian flu, allowing authorities to understand their behavior and implement control measures. “If we weren’t able to diagnose them, we wouldn’t be able to respond to them or control the virus,” she emphasized.
In addition to diagnostic functions, the ACDP’s high-containment labs facilitate research into disease development and the testing of new vaccines and therapeutics. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACDP conducted pre-clinical testing of the AstraZeneca COVID vaccine.
A historical achievement for the ACDP was the identification and isolation of the Hendra virus in 1994, following the death of horses and a handler in Queensland. This significant breakthrough contributed to the development of a vaccine that protects both horses and their human caretakers.
The facility not only serves as a national resource but also as a reference laboratory for specific diseases of concern, collaborating with regional and international health organizations.
Preparing for Future Pandemics
With the rise of emerging infectious diseases, 75 percent of which are thought to originate from animals, the ACDP’s mandate has expanded to include both animal and human health. The research conducted here is essential for preparing Australia for potential future pandemics. Dr. Eagles highlighted the importance of surveillance and diagnostics in understanding zoonotic diseases that may pose a threat to public health.
Lynn Nazareth, a research scientist at the ACDP, is currently investigating how viral infections spread through the nasal cavity. “I grow the inside of the human nose in a dish and use it as a risk assessment tool to understand the threat of bird flu,” she explained. This research is particularly relevant given the recent concerns over the H5N1 strain of bird flu, which has shown potential for human transmission.
As the day concludes, Barr and her colleagues undergo a meticulous decontamination process involving multiple showers and the changing of suits. This ensures that no pathogens are inadvertently transported outside the secure area. “We do a lot of showering and changing clothes,” Barr remarked, highlighting the extensive precautions taken to maintain safety.
The ACDP represents a vital component of Australia’s public health infrastructure, committed to safeguarding against infectious diseases and enhancing preparedness for future health challenges.
