Australia periodically experiences outbreaks of new or unusual diseases in both farmed and wild species. Recent examples include oyster herpes virus in New South Wales and Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis in Victoria and Tasmania. Proper epidemiological investigation early in such outbreaks can assist greatly in identifying source and risk-factors for infection and can often provide clues for future control. Such an investigation goes beyond the identification and characterisation of the causal agent and is an essential part of the response to any disease outbreak or incursion.

However, specific training in epidemiology and the principles of epidemiological investigation has not been routinely provided to aquatic animal health professionals in the past. This project aims to address this situation by providing introductory training in epidemiological principles and disease outbreak investigation for up to 25 aquatic animal health professionals, and provide resources for future training activities.

This project aligns closely with the Biosecurity and Aquatic Animal Health theme of the FRDC RD&E plan, directly through developing the necessary skills to prevent and manage disease incursions and indirectly through improved knowledge and understanding of biosecurity measures required to mitigate and control disease in cultured and wild aquatic populations.

Many fisheries and aquaculture industries around the world have suffered major production losses due to the impact of disease epidemics. Few major disease incidents have occurred in Australian aquaculture, and as a result, the Commonwealth, State/Territory governments and aquaculture industries have relatively little experience in incident management for emergency aquatic animal diseases. Through AQUAPLAN – Australia’s National Strategic Plan for Aquatic Animal Health 1998-2003 we have developed strategies and mechanisms such as the Aquatic Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (Aquatic CCEAD) to provide advice on the management of disease emergencies in fisheries and aquaculture. Through the White Spot Virus incident in 2000-2001, however, it became apparent that the participants lacked the experience to effectively put into practice the CCEAD process.
The need for this education and training program can be summarized as follows:
1. Both government and industries have relatively little experience with real emergencies.
2. Industry and some government jurisdictions have little knowledge and understanding of the CCEAD process which is essential when dealing with an emergency.
3. In some jurisdictions there is a lack of clarity about the roles and responsibilities of various individuals.
4. Industry has little experience on CCEAD and has not previously been a bona fide member of CCEAD.
5. Lack of experience of disease incidents has lead to a lack of understanding of the reasons for confidentiality and hence conformation to the confidentiality guidelines.
6. Lack of experience with the CCEAD process has lead to the misuse and abuse of the process for political mileage rather then disease incident management.