CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has commenced key research in the rapid global response to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The research aims to paint a clearer picture of the new coronavirus, and is the first of its kind to take place outside of China.
The work is critical to understanding how the virus behaves, as well as the safety and efficacy of potential vaccines. The work will be undertaken at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), CSIRO’s high-containment facility in Geelong.
Media call:
Media are invited to attend CSIRO’s high-containment facility in Geelong at 10 am on Friday 31 January to hear from:
- Dr Rob Grenfell – CSIRO Director of Health and Biosecurity, on CSIRO’s involvement in the response to the novel coronavirus outbreak and how infectious diseases like this can spread
- CSIRO virology expert Dr Trevor Drew - Director of AAHL, on emerging infectious diseases including zoonotic diseases, and our national biocontainment laboratory.
Details:
- Names of all of those attending the media call need to be provided prior to arrival as AAHL is a highly secure site – please provide details to Cass Erbs P: 0412 730 635 or [email protected]
- Photo ID is required for presentation on arrival.
Getting there:
- AAHL is located in Geelong Victoria at 5 Portarlington Road, Botanic Gardens are to our west and the salt flats to our east. Tip: If using a GPS please enter - Corner of Boundary and Portarlington Roads, East Geelong.
- Geelong is located 70km south-west from Melbourne approximately 60 minutes from the Melbourne central business district.
- As you approach the CSIRO gate, please press the intercom button to announce your arrival to our Site Attendance officer. They will direct you to where to come and please remember you photo ID.