As the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) celebrates its 40th anniversary, experts emphasize the increasing importance of its role in safeguarding Australia against infectious diseases. Located in Geelong, Victoria, the ACDP is operated by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and functions as a high biocontainment facility. It is designed to facilitate research on the world’s most dangerous pathogens, serving as a critical component of Australia’s defense against animal and zoonotic infectious disease threats.
Dr. Debbie Eagles, Director of ACDP, highlighted the facility’s significance amid rising threats such as H5 avian influenza, dengue, and lumpy skin disease. “Emerging infectious diseases are increasing in frequency and complexity, driven by factors like climate change, global trade, and interactions between wildlife, livestock, and people,” Dr. Eagles stated. “For 40 years, the dedicated people at this facility have helped Australia respond to outbreaks, develop vaccines and diagnostics, and build resilience in our animal health systems.”
Historical Context and Achievements
Opened in 1985 as the first high containment facility of its kind in the southern hemisphere, the ACDP was designed with a vision to operate for a century. Its advanced engineering and innovative ‘box-in-a-box’ design were pioneering at the time, ensuring that the labs continue to exceed the highest biocontainment standards today.
The facility’s history is marked by significant contributions to disease response and innovation. ACDP played a pivotal role in identifying the deadly Hendra virus and supporting the development of the Equivac HeV vaccine for horses. It was also instrumental in the global response to outbreaks of SARS, Nipah virus, and Ebola.
Current Operations and Impact
An expert team of CSIRO staff is on-call at ACDP 24/7, conducting approximately 50,000 tests annually for state and territory governments to confirm or exclude emergency diseases. According to Dr. Dwane O’Brien, Deputy Director of ACDP, “Before ACDP opened, most samples for exotic animal diseases had to be sent overseas for analysis — a slow process that meant Australia didn’t have control over its own trade information.”
“Now ACDP helps diagnose exotic diseases in a short time, and our teams run genetic analysis that helps authorities quickly identify and control animal disease outbreaks,” Dr. O’Brien explained. “This helps reduce the spread and impact of diseases and provides continuing evidence of freedom from diseases which enables ongoing international trade.”
More recently, ACDP supported Australia’s COVID-19 response, working to understand the virus and test vaccine candidates. Its scientists also played a crucial role in detecting and responding to multi-state H7 bird flu outbreaks in 2024 and 2025, as well as a multi-state outbreak of Japanese encephalitis virus. Just last month, they published the discovery of the new Salt Gully virus, a relative of Hendra, in Australian flying foxes.
Future Directions and Global Collaborations
Through ACDP, CSIRO provides technical advice and training to veterinarians and government personnel across Australia and the Indo-Pacific region. This effort helps frontline workers detect and manage emergency animal diseases, strengthening regional surveillance efforts. Dr. Eagles emphasized the facility’s commitment to a One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
“At ACDP, we’re not just responding to outbreaks — we’re working to understand the pathogens behind them, how they spread, and how we can stop them,” she said.
ACDP is a designated World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Reference Laboratory for avian influenza and other high-consequence diseases, holding three Reference Centre designations with the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization. This international recognition underscores its pivotal role in global health security.
Engineering Marvel: ACDP’s Unique Design
The ACDP stands as the largest facility with Physical Containment Levels 3 and 4 in Australia. Its construction was a monumental undertaking, requiring sophisticated engineering systems to meet stringent microbiological security requirements — all achieved without the advanced engineering tools and software available today.
The facility’s ‘box-in-a-box’ design features a main building with five levels, four of which are inside a microbiologically secure barrier. A 30cm thick concrete wall forms an airtight ‘box’ around the secure area, with smaller secure boxes inside, each with a drop in air pressure. This ensures that all secure areas are held at a lower air pressure than the outside world, preventing any potential leakage.
As ACDP marks its 40th year, its ongoing contributions to disease preparedness and response continue to be a cornerstone of Australia’s biosecurity strategy, ensuring the country remains vigilant and ready to face future challenges.
