Media Release preview
The Australian Veterinary Association Ltd and New Zealand Veterinary Association
18 May 2015
Do superbugs threaten our food supply?
Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem for both human and animal health to the point where many
bacterial infections are now difficult to treat.
Professor Peter Collignon, Infectious Diseases Physician and Microbiologist, Australian National University,
will be discussing this issue at the Pan Pacific Veterinary Conference, 24-29 May.
“A One Health concept is very important if we’re to better control this problem. That means we need to
tackle antibiotic resistance in humans, animals and the environment. If resistant bacteria, including the very
common E. coli, are in one sector they can easily spread to others,” Professor Collignon said.
Keeping foot and mouth out
An outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) in Australia would be disastrous and could potentially lead to
billions of dollars of lost revenue.
Dr Caroline Barrett, a Veterinary Pathologist at Gribbles Veterinary Pathology and a Director of PrimeSafe
(the Victorian Government regulator of Food Safety in the Meat and Seafood Industries), will discuss the
key concepts for controlling such an outbreak, at the Pan Pacific Veterinary Conference 24-29 May. Dr
Barrett recently attended a Foot and Mouth disease training course in Nepal, a country where the disease is
endemic.
“While Australia is currently free of the highly contagious virus that causes FMD, which affects cloven
hoofed animals including cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, an outbreak would have serious economic and
production impacts.”
Australia’s next step in rabies preparedness
While Australia is considered free of rabies, its spread to parts of Asia could pose a real threat. Could it
really happen? Are we ready to deal with a rabies outbreak?
Professor Michael Ward, University of Sydney, will discuss a research program that commenced in 2012
which compares control strategies if rabies were to enter the northern part of the country.
For further information and requests for interviews contact:
Rena Richmond Media and Campaigns Manager
The Australian Veterinary Association Ltd
Ph: +61 2 9431 5062 or +61 439 628 898
Daphne Atkinson Senior Communications Advisor
New Zealand Veterinary Association
Ph: +64 4 71 04 84 or +41 021 253 6567