Media Release

Rapid testing for killer viruses!

A rapid diagnostic test capable of detecting and identifying viruses such as Dengue, Yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis (JEV) has been developed, significantly reducing the time and discomfort involved with diagnosing an infection.

According to Sheryl Maher, this is the first test to detect and identify all flaviviruses in a single test. “The test provides a preliminary result within three hours and identification in an additional three hours making this test ideal for remote and regional diagnostic facilities” said Ms Maher.

In Asia JEV affects 50,000 people causing 10,000 deaths and 8,000 permanent disabilities. In 1995 JEV, previously unseen in Australia, killed two people in northern Queensland. Identification took over two weeks causing significant delays in deploying health officials, containing and eradicating the virus. The eradication was though to be successful until it was detected again in 1996, then on the mainland in 1998. As this virus moves south to more densely populated areas the number of people infected with JEV is likely to increase.

Currently, different blood samples are required to test for each virus; many blood samples may be needed before an identification is made. The need to have so many needles can be extremely stressful to people. Using the new test we can now test for over 60 different viruses simultaneously.

Dr Russell d'Scarlett from The Doctors Cairns said, “Traditional antibody-based tests are only performed one to two weeks after symptoms appear, otherwise they do not show evidence of infection. Newer molecular-based tests can be performed earlier, but take over a week to process. The advantage of this new test is the speed with which we can obtain the diagnosis and then put into action measures to identify the source of the infection and contain further spread. We have had several Dengue fever epidemics in Cairns and earlier diagnosis could have helped reduce the severity.”

Sheryl Maher is a PhD student with the Australian Biosecurity CRC. She is based at the University of Queensland in the laboratories of Dr Roy Hall and Dr Ross Barnard, and is collaborating with the Australian National University and Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Oxford.

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Media contact:
Sheryl Maher
0419747266

Australian Biosecurity CRC
University of Queensland
Building 76
Coopers Road
St Lucia 4072
Queensland