Emerging viral threats in Australia

Abstract

Pathogenic viruses pose significant threats to human health. Consequently, it is important to consider the mechanisms by which viruses might emerge and spread both within Australia and internationally. Australia is relatively isolated from major global population centres, reachable only by international flight or long boat journey (with the exception of the most southern and eastern parts of Indonesia). This isolation, coupled with the island nature of Australia, allows broadly effective interventions to be put in place to minimise the effect of viruses circulating internationally. However, the threats posed by virus transmission emerging from within Australia, including from novel animal reservoirs as a consequence of anthropogenic activities, warrant investigation. Here we discuss the current emerging viral threats to Australia and the likelihood of a virus emerging from a domestic reservoir. We also discuss the importance of virus discovery methods for understanding the diversity and ecology of viruses in our invasive and native wildlife populations.