Communicable diseases information

Communicable diseases remain a significant public health priority both in Australia and internationally. The problems facing Australia today are diverse: foodborne diseases; emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria; sexually transmitted diseases; vectorborne diseases; vaccine preventable diseases. New and emerging diseases such as bat lyssavirus and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) as well as the threat of an intentional release of a biological agent, pose potential threats to public health.
The Office of Health Protection (OHP) is engaged in a range of activities to reduce the incidence, and thereby the social and economic impact of communicable disease. OHP holds key roles as a co-ordinator of national action in response to communicable disease outbreaks, and as a leader in the development of best practice guidelines and national public health policy. A national perspective is achieved through networks such as the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) and documents such as the National Communicable Diseases Surveillance Strategy.

OHP provides technical and policy advice on communicable diseases in the context of ensuring best practice public health nationally. Extensive national and international networking facilitates access to a pool of expertise in communicable diseases and related fields, which ensures appropriate and timely responses to disease outbreaks of national significance and high quality input into public health decisions, policy and programs.

Involvement in the administration of human health aspects of the Quarantine Act 1908, together with close liaison with the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestries - Australia and the Food Standards Australia New Zealand strengthens OHP's multidirectional approach to disease control.