Key Capabilities and Services

The centre is designed to enhance national capabilities and services in:

• the investigation of new and emerging animal diseases
• biosecurity
• human diseases such as meningococcal and influenza epidemics
• monitoring and responding to new and emerging human and animal health disease threats such as SARS and avian influenza.

Most of the important emerging diseases that threaten humans are zoonoses; diseases that transfer from animals to humans (e.g. BSE, avian influenza, and SARS).

The skills and equipment required for the laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases of animals and humans are similar. And the benefit of locating human and animal health diagnostic capabilities together has been highlighted by recent world events such as the avian influenza outbreaks in Asia.