About Communicable Diseases Network Australia

Information page about the Communicable Diseases Network Australia. It details the Network's background; its various committees and activities; the composition of the Network; and recent publications and contact details.

In this section:

Communicable Diseases Surveillance

Introduction

Background

The Communicable Disease Network Australia (CDNA) was established in 1989 as the Communicable Diseases Control Network, as a joint initiative of the National Health and Medical Research Council and Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council. Its brief was to oversee:

the co-ordination of national communicable disease surveillance,
the response to communicable disease outbreaks of national importance; and
field training of communicable disease epidemiologists.

For many years the Network carried out these and other functions under the name of the Communicable Diseases Network Australia and New Zealand (CDNANZ). In April 2001 the name formally changed to Communicable Diseases Network Australia. The new name better reflects the fact that the Network's primary focus and responsibilities are in relation to Australia. However, CDNA will continue its close communication and co-operation with New Zealand, and with other countries in the region.

Since 1995, the Network has overseen the implementation and development of the National Communicable Diseases Surveillance Strategy. The strategy aims to develop the infrastructure and systems for effective national surveillance, preparedness and responses to communicable disease risks.

One of the strengths of CDNA is its ability to work in co-operation with many organisations that contribute to protection against communicable diseases. The success of the Network is a tribute to the foresight and vision of the many government and non-government groups and individuals involved. In particular, the Network receives considerable financial support and expertise from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, which also auspices the Network Secretariat.

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CDNA Terms of Reference

Vision statement

The Communicable Diseases Network Australia will provide national public health co-ordination on communicable disease surveillance, prevention and control, and will offer strategic advice to governments and other key bodies on public health actions to minimise the impact of communicable diseases in Australia and the region.

Objectives

1. To promote best practice prevention and management of communicable diseases.
2. To develop and co-ordinate national surveillance programs for communicable diseases.
3. To develop policy and to provide policy advice on the control of communicable diseases.
4. To support and strengthen training and capacity building in the communicable disease field.
5. To provide a resource for the investigation and control of outbreaks of communicable disease.
6. To liaise with and support other communicable disease control agencies and programs in the region.

CDNA Committees

Through its various committees, CDNA is able to involve a broad spectrum of people with specialist knowledge within the communicable disease field, and produces policies, practice guidelines and other outputs on a wide range of topics.

The present sub-committees reporting to CDNA are:

CJD Incidents Panel
Case Definitions Working Group (CDWG)
Invasive Pneumococcal Disease Surveillance Working Group (joint CDNA/ATAGI sub-committee)
National Arbovirus and Malaria Advisory Committee (NAMAC)
National Immunisation Committee (NIC)
National Surveillance Committee (NSC)
National Tuberculosis Advisory Committee (NTAC)
Seasonal Influenza Surveillance Strategy Working Group (SISSWG)
Polio Expert Panel

Composition of the Network

Members of the Network include:

representatives from the Australian Commonwealth, State and Territory governments;
representatives from other countries in the region (presently New Zealand and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community) as observer members;
representatives of key organisations in the communicable diseases field;
others with relevant expertise.

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Activities

CDNA holds fortnightly teleconferences to share and evaluate the latest information and developments in communicable diseases surveillance.

Additional special teleconferences are held as required to obtain specialist assistance and co-ordinate actions when outbreaks or potential outbreaks occur.

The Network is also frequently asked to comment on national policies or on surveillance and control issues that have national implications, and issues public statements when appropriate.

CDNA maintains close links with the Public Health Laboratory Network (PHLN) by being represented at meetings of the PHLN and having the PHLN chair as a member of the CDNA. This ensures co-ordinated advice and responses to communicable diseases across both networks.

One of the strengths of CDNA is its ability to utilise the skills and expertise of a wide network of people, and to apply this knowledge to addressing important issues within the communicable diseases field.

CDNA reports to the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council (AHMAC) through the National Public Health Partnership (NPHP).

Some recent CDNA publications

Further information on CDNA activities is available in an article published in Communicable Diseases Intelligence.

Contact Details

CDNA Secretariat
Mail Drop Point 67
GPO Box 9848
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Telephone: 02 6289 2632
Facsimile: 02 6289 2700
Email: cdna@health.gov.au