over 30 years since the last one and so most peopl, page-14

re: alarm bells Avian Influenza, HIV, SARS, Mad Cow Disease (BSE), and Ebola are all conditions that originally affected animals, mutating to a human variety.

These modern diseases have killed millions of people around the world – but historically, bacteria and viruses jumping species have been even more devastating.

The bubonic plague, and the flu pandemics of the 20th century are all likely to have originated from different animals.

Professor Durrheim believes that while the world has kept these pandemics at bay for over 30 years – our medical knowledge is not sophisticated enough to guarantee the prevention of future epidemics

This is why the team at the Anton Breinl Centre are now working closely with the Tropical Public Health Unit in Cairns to closely monitor any animal viruses that may be entering Australia.