As the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) marks its 40th anniversary, experts emphasize that its mission to protect Australia from infectious diseases has never been more vital. Located in Geelong, Victoria, the ACDP is operated by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and serves as a high biocontainment facility specifically designed to conduct research on dangerous pathogens.
Dr. Debbie Eagles, the Director of ACDP, highlighted the facility’s importance in the face of increasing threats from diseases such as H5 avian influenza, dengue, and lumpy skin disease. “Emerging infectious diseases are increasing in frequency and complexity, driven by factors like climate change, global trade, and interactions between wildlife, livestock, and people,” Dr. Eagles stated. “For 40 years, the dedicated people at this facility have helped Australia respond to outbreaks, develop vaccines and diagnostics, and build resilience in our animal health systems.”
Building a Legacy of Disease Preparedness
Opened in 1985 as the first high containment facility in the southern hemisphere, the ACDP was designed to operate for a century. Its innovative engineering and box-in-a-box design still meet the highest biocontainment standards today. The facility conducts approximately 50,000 tests annually on behalf of state and territory governments, providing essential services for emergency disease confirmation and identification.
“Before ACDP opened, most samples that needed to be tested for exotic animal diseases had to be sent overseas for analysis—a slow process that meant Australia didn’t have control over its own trade information,” remarked Dr. Dwane O’Brien, Deputy Director of ACDP. “Now, ACDP helps diagnose exotic diseases quickly, allowing our teams to run genetic analyses that assist authorities in identifying and controlling animal disease outbreaks.”
This rapid response capability significantly reduces the potential spread and impact of diseases, enabling ongoing international trade by confirming freedom from diseases.
A Record of Innovation and Response
The ACDP has played an instrumental role in Australia’s disease response over the decades. It was pivotal in identifying the deadly Hendra virus and in supporting the development of the Equivac HeV vaccine for horses. The facility also contributed to the global responses to major health threats such as SARS, Nipah virus, and Ebola.
In recent years, the ACDP has been crucial in Australia’s response to COVID-19, focusing on understanding the virus and testing vaccine candidates. It also assisted in detecting and managing multi-state outbreaks of H7 bird flu in 2024 and 2025, and the Japanese encephalitis virus outbreak. Just last month, ACDP scientists published findings on the newly discovered Salt Gully virus, a relative of Hendra found in Australian flying foxes.
Beyond its research efforts, the ACDP provides technical advice and training to veterinarians and government personnel across Australia and the Indo-Pacific region. This support enhances emergency animal disease detection and strengthens regional surveillance efforts.
Dr. Eagles emphasized the facility’s commitment to a One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. “At ACDP, we’re not just responding to outbreaks; we’re working to understand the pathogens behind them, how they spread, and how we can stop them,” she explained.
Recognized as a designated World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Reference Laboratory for avian influenza and other high-consequence diseases, the ACDP also holds three Reference Centre designations with the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization. As it looks to the future, the ACDP remains at the forefront of Australia’s biosecurity efforts, committed to adapting and evolving in response to ever-changing threats.
