The 16th Australian Influenza Symposium is underway at the Doherty Institute.
Day 1 brought together leading researchers and public health experts to share insights across influenza, RSV, and other respiratory virus. Day 2 begins with another exceptional line up #AIS2025

The program for the 16th Australian Influenza Symposium is now available. We look forward to welcoming all attendees this week.
influenzacentre.org//documents/s...

The Centre was pleased to host five scientists from Beijing CDC, who presented their work on RSV and wastewater.

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION CLOSES THIS WEEK
Quick reminder to please submit your abstract by 24 October. Instructions below:

Recommended composition of the 2026 Southern Hemisphere flu vaccine was announced by WHO.
Main change = H1N1(pdm09)-like virus, to A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like(cell and egg) and

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION and REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE 16TH AUSTRALIAN INFLUENZA SYMPOSIUM (13-14 November 2025 The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity)
Registration link: eventbrite.com/e/16th-austr...
Abstract submission: influenzacentre.org//Centre_Acti...

Patrick Reading and Michelle Wille @duckswabber.bsky.social were on a panel discussing 'Avian Influenza Unmasked: Research, Readiness, Response.'

The Centre’s resident avian influenza expert @duckswabber.bsky.social was delighted to host Rae Pearson from SVS Labs, New Zealand to enhance their workflows for avian influenza testing.

The Centre recently hosted Urisha Naidoo from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, in South Africa. During her visit, Urisha trained in laboratory methods for measuring neutralising antibodies against influenza viruses in human sera.

Professor Patrick Reading was on a segment with ABC News and discussed the increase in Influenza B cases in children this flu season
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...

Amazing work by Clyde here at @whofluccmelb.bsky.social for putting this trees together to demonstrate recent human H5N1 cases in India & Bangladesh cluster together, and are related to the return traveller in Australia. All sequences on GISAID.

We are pleased to announce the 16th Australian Influenza Symposium (AIS), to be held on 13-14 November 2025 at the @thedohertyinst.bsky.social, more details to follow.

From May 26 to June 6, we hosted six Pacific Island visitors for capacity building, with training at both the Molecular Centre and VIDRL, supported by SPC.

@thedohertyinst.bsky.social
@duckswabber.bsky.social

The Centre recently welcomed Dr. ShuJuan Cui from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. During her visit, she primarily spent time with the Genetic Analysis group, where she learned about hMPV whole-genome sequencing from Dr. Xiaomin Dong.

@thedohertyinst.bsky.social

Dr. Michelle Wille from the Centre was recently featured in an ABC 7:30 report to discuss the impacts of avian influenza in Antarctica, and the potential arrival and impacts for Australia.

The Centre recently welcomed Brooke and Nina from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM DOH), Phillipines, for a two-week visit (5-16 May). During their visit, they received training for virus isolation, with a focus on influenza and RSV.

Professor Ian Barr from the Centre wrote an article featured in the April 2025 edition of Respiratory Medicine Today, titled 'Influenza in 2025: what to expect and how to ameliorate its impact'. respiratory.medicinetoday.com.au