Transboundary animal diseases: next pandemic? 

It seems that we are seeing more animal diseases in our media than ever before. From Japanese encephalitis detected across Australian piggeries and Avian flu detected in millions of Australian chickens to ‘Lumpy’ skin disease which infects cattle ‘on our nation’s doorstop’.

Why is this happening? Is Australian media overstating the risks and dangers? Should we be worried? Does Australia really need to do more ‘to ensure its biosecurity system is fit for purpose’ as our politicians suggest?

Prof Travis Beddoe completed his undergradute studies at La Trobe University and then completed a PhD at University of Melbourne in area of mitochondria targeting. In 2002, Travis moved to Monash University to join the newly established Protein crystallography unit under the mentorship of Prof Jamie Rossjohn where he investigated the structural and biophysical basis of immune receptor interactions and TCR signaling. In 2008 he started his own independent lab investigating structural basis of host-pathogen interaction in particular glycan specificity in bacterial pathogenesis and physiology. Return to La Trobe to part of new AgriBio Centre to where his lab aims to generate a complete “Bench to Barn” research program focusing on 1) field deployable diagnostics, 2) molecular understanding of disease pathogenesis 3) sustainable treatment solution (vaccines). While aiming to work on mainstream livestock species his research has expanded on developing a commercial vaccine for racing pigeons and investigating the use of experimental vaccine for crocodile diseases.

As we move towards living in a closer proximity to animals, is the Covid-19 virus another warning of what is to come?