The Epidemiology Unit was established in 1998. Its primary objective
is to identify trends in, and assess the impact of, infectious
diseases of public health importance. The Unit also conducts applied
public health research and works closely with diagnostic and research
laboratory staff within VIDRL.
Important external collaborations have been established with the
School of Population Health and the Department of Medicine at
the University of Melbourne, the Victorian Infectious Diseases
Service, the Network of Infectious Diseases Modellers of Australia,
the Burnet Institute, the Centre for International Child Health
and the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance.
The major areas of activity of the Unit are
• Influenza surveillance and associated research
• Influenza pandemic preparedness
• National surveillance for patients aged 0-15 years presenting
with acute flaccid paralysis as part of the WHO global polio eradication
initiative
• Measles surveillance and associated research as part of
the WHO global measles control initiative
• Surveillance for diseases caused by varicella zoster virus
(chickenpox and shingles)
• Surveillance of sexually transmitted diseases
• Surveillance of laboratory confirmed tuberculosis
• Investigation into the epidemiology of hepatitis B virus
infection in Victoria
• Sero-epidemiological studies including the development
of novel approaches to laboratory-based serosurveys
• International health
• Test development and evaluation
• Quality assurance
• Post-graduate teaching and training
