Detection of imported exotic strains of West Nile virus for national biosecurity surveillance.

西尼罗河病毒（WNV）由蚊子传播，在动物和人类中引起致命的脑部疾病。西尼罗河病毒目前是这个国家的外来病毒，但是在澳大利亚北部可以发现与该病毒密切相关的良性表亲（昆津病毒）。目前，使用标准的实验室检测很难区分西尼罗河病毒感染和昆津感染，因此，如果西尼罗河病毒传入澳大利亚，公共卫生官员将很难检测到。在这个项目中，我们的目标是开发更准确的实验室测试，以使用新策略检测致命的外来西尼罗河病毒感染。

West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted by mosquitoes and causes a fatal disease of the brain in animals and humans. WNV is currently exotic to this country, however a closely related, but benign cousin of this virus (Kunjin) can be found in Northern Australia. Currently it is very difficult to differentiate between infections with WNV and Kunjin using standard laboratory tests, therefore it will be difficult for public health officials to detect WNV if it is introduced to Australia. In this project we aim to develop more accurate laboratory tests to detect infections with the deadly, exotic WNV using new strategies.