The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity

Parts of Australia are currently experiencing outbreaks of diphtheria, a vaccine-preventable bacterial illness.

What causes diphtheria? What are the symptoms to look out for? How does it spread?

Get answers to some of the most common questions and find out how everyone can a play a role in preventing further infections, in this explainer written by experts from The University of Melbourne's Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory at the Doherty Institute.

Find out more 🔗 https://www.doherty.edu.au/articles/diphtheria-your-questions-answered/

Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences at UniMelb

Diphtheria: Your questions answered - Doherty Institute Doherty Institute experts answer common questions about diphtheria, covering symptoms, risks, and prevention for Australians.

A current Ebola virus disease outbreak overseas has prompted renewed public interest in the virus.

How does it spread? What symptoms can it cause? How is testing done in Australia?

In this explainer, experts from The Royal Melbourne Hospital's team of scientists at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) at the Doherty Institute unpack the key facts about Ebola virus.

https://bit.ly/4dJ0buv

Ebola virus explained: Risks, symptoms and testing in Victoria - Doherty Institute A governance structure that supports integration and fosters collaboration, strong leadership and management, creating a unified organisation.

Thrilled to celebrate two of our distinguished leaders in immunology who have been elected as Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science (AAS).

Congratulations to University of Melbourne Professor Laura Mackay and Professor Katherine Kedzierska for being elected to the AAS, in recognition of their outstanding scientific achievements and for their contributions to immunology and infectious diseases research.

Professor Laura Mackay is a Laboratory Head and Immunology Theme Leader here at the Doherty Institute and Sir Gustav Nossal Professor of Immunology at WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. She is a world-leading researcher in tissue-resident immune cells, whose research has transformed understanding of how immune memory functions within tissues and how these cells protect against infection and disease.

Professor Katherine Kedzierska is the Head of the Human T cell Laboratory in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology here at the Doherty Institute. She is a global expert in human T cell immunity, whose research has advanced understanding of immune responses to infectious diseases - including influenza and COVID-19 - helping to inform vaccine development and pandemic preparedness strategies.

Find out more 🔗 https://www.doherty.edu.au/articles/doherty-institute-scientists-elected-to-the-australian-academy-of-science/

Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences at UniMelb
The University of Melbourne

Doherty Institute scientists elected to the Australian Academy of Science - Doherty Institute Internationally recognised for their contributions to immunology and infectious diseases research, University of Melbourne immunologists Professor Laura Mackay and Professor Katherine Kedzierska from the Doherty Institute have been elected as Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science (AAS).

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Recent international reports of hantavirus infections have prompted questions about the virus and whether Australians should be concerned.

How does it spread? What symptoms can it cause? And how is testing carried out in Australia?

In this explainer, scientists from The Royal Melbourne Hospital's Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory answer some of the most common questions about hantavirus and explain why the risk to Australians remains low.

https://www.doherty.edu.au/articles/hantavirus-your-questions-answered/

Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences at UniMelb

Hantavirus: Your questions answered - Doherty Institute A governance structure that supports integration and fosters collaboration, strong leadership and management, creating a unified organisation.

As winter approaches, it’s time to think about flu prevention.

So far in 2026, reported flu cases are around half of what we saw at the same time last year. But experts are urging caution because 2025 was an unpredictable flu season, with record-high cases that stretched well beyond winter.

At a national influenza briefing yesterday, experts reminded us that influenza can affect anyone, not just people considered at risk. It can cause serious illness, hospitalisation and even death, including in healthy adults and young children.

Last year alone, almost half a million lab tests came back positive for influenza and that was likely just the tip of the iceberg.

The good news? Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the impact of flu, especially as we head into winter. This year’s vaccine has been updated based on global surveillance of circulating flu strains, including K variant.

Find out more 🔗 https://www.doherty.edu.au/articles/what-to-expect-from-the-2026-flu-season/

Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences at UniMelb
The Royal Melbourne Hospital

What to expect from the 2026 flu season - Doherty Institute Reported influenza cases so far in 2026 have halved compared to the same period in 2025, however last year was an unpredictable flu season. As we prepare for the start of winter, the most effective way to reduce the impact of respiratory infections is through prevention and vaccination, urged expert...

This year the University of Melbourne is commemorating 150 years of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS), celebrating the power of partnerships.

The Doherty Institute is proud to be part of the faculty, working to advance health together during the past decade.

Our work during the COVID-19 pandemic response has been highlighted as a key impact story, amongst other powerful partnerships shaping the future of health.

Read 'The scientists who led the world in understanding COVID-19' 🔗 https://mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/150/impact/covid

Visit '150 years: the power of partnerships' 🔗 https://mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/150

Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences at UniMelb

We’re proud to be working with the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region office and the AMR Research Center at the Japan Institute for Health Security to help health‑care facilities better prepare for outbreaks caused by antimicrobial‑resistant pathogens.

After the release of the WHO guidance 'Responding to outbreaks of antimicrobial‑resistant pathogens in health‑care facilities', train‑the‑trainer workshops are now rolling out across nine countries and territories in the region, turning guidance into real‑world action.

🔗 Read more: https://www.doherty.edu.au/articles/helping-countries-prepare-for-amr-outbreaks-in-health-care-facilities/

Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences at UniMelb
The Royal Melbourne Hospital

Helping countries prepare for AMR outbreaks in health-care facilities - Doherty Institute A governance structure that supports integration and fosters collaboration, strong leadership and management, creating a unified organisation.

Fantastic to see one of our brilliant collaborators, Jane Davies, recognised for their work in hepatitis B elimination. Voting details in post below 👇
Hepatitis B Voices Australia

RDH co-director of Infectious Diseases Jane has made it her life mission to see hepatitis B eliminated from the NT, having already ensured the Territory is the only jurisdiction to exceed its hepatitis B targets and that survival following liver cancer diagnosis has tripled. She is one of 40 finalists in the 2026 NT News Woman of the Year Awards. See the full list and cast your people's choice vote now 👉 https://bit.ly/4mE5eAz