COVID-19. Mpox. Avian influenza. These recent outbreaks have made one thing clear—we must stay ahead of emerging diseases that pose a risk of transmission between animals and humans. The consequences of these spillover events extend far beyond public and animal health. They can upend livelihoods, disrupt entire communities, place immense strain on healthcare and biosecurity systems, and inflict significant damage on agriculture, livestock industries, wildlife, and the broader environment.
Recognising this critical need for vigilance and early action, the Australian Government established the Human Animal Spillover and Emerging Diseases Scanning (HASEDS) Group. This initiative embodies a One Health approach, bringing together experts from multiple sectors to collaboratively scan for and assess emerging and re-emerging disease threats, to provide early warning, inform decision-making, and strengthen Australia's capacity to prevent and mitigate these risks before they escalate into crises.
HASEDS was formally established in 2022 under the leadership of the Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, Australian Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer, and the Australian Chief Medical Officer. It is chaired by independent expert Dr. Malcolm Anderson, who provides strategic oversight and helps ensures a rigorous, evidence-based approach to scanning and analysis activities.
To further bolster its expertise, HASEDS recently introduced role-based membership to complement its existing skill-based structure. This has brought in representatives from a diverse range of sectors, including defence, environment, foreign affairs, laboratory, and wildlife health organisations. This broad membership ensures that a wide array of perspectives is considered when evaluating diverse potential threats, strengthening Australia's overall preparedness.
In February 2025, HASEDS held its first in-person meeting in Sydney, providing members with a valuable opportunity to collaborate. The meeting focused on reviewing recent scanning activities, analysing results, and identifying and prioritising current disease threats along with their underlying drivers. Members also tested risk analysis methodologies, refining their approach to developing evidence-based technical risk assessments. These assessments will be instrumental in guiding Australia's ongoing efforts in disease prevention, preparedness, and response—ensuring that our nation remains prepared and resilient in the face of future threats.
