Newsroom

12 May 2026 - On their return to Australia, the returned MV Hondius passengers will head into quarantine in Perth, with strict infection protection and control measures in place for their flight, arrival, transfer and quarantine. The risk of hantavirus to the Australian population remains low.

8 May 2026 - The risk of hantavirus to the Australian and global population remains low. There are no reports of hantavirus infection in humans in Australia.

6 May 2026 - We are monitoring the hantavirus infection outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic. Hantavirus has never been reported in humans in Australia, but Australians travelling to areas where hantavirus is common should take steps to protect themselves.

1 May 2026 - Poliovirus has been detected in a wastewater sample in Perth, Western Australia. Although the risk to the community remains very low, it’s a timely reminder to check you’re up to date with vaccination.

1 May 2026 - Routine wastewater surveillance has detected vaccine-derived poliovirus in untreated sewage from the Subiaco wastewater treatment plant in Western Australia.

24 April 2026 - We’re seeking expressions of interest from exceptional people to join our Advisory Council. This is your chance to use your expertise and experience to help protect Australia from health threats, now and in the years to come.

16 April 2026 - We are seeking an exceptional leader to take on the role of Chief Medical Advisor – a pivotal position at the centre of national public health leadership. This role will help shape how Australia understands and responds to public health risk.

15 April 2026 - Australia has been awarded a World Health Organization (WHO) Certificate of Containment for its designated poliovirus laboratory facility.

9 April 2026 - Last year, Australia recorded 912 cases of Q fever – the highest number since national monitoring began in 1991. If you work around certain animals, take steps to protect yourself.

7 April 2026 - As winter gets closer severe respiratory illnesses are more likely – especially for high-risk groups. We should aways do what we can to prevent illness. But with unusually high levels of flu in late 2025, taking simple steps to protect yourself early will be especially important this winter.

31 March 2026 - A new report confirms that almost all cases of measles in Australia are either acquired overseas or related to an overseas acquired case – especially around school holidays. Don’t bring measles home from holidays – add vaccination to your travel plan.

30 March 2026 - Australia has taken a significant step in its commitment to ending hepatitis B and C as public health challenges, with the launch of the Fourth National Hepatitis B Strategy 2025–2030 and the Sixth National Hepatitis C Strategy 2025–2030.

19 February 2026 - After higher case numbers in 2024 and 2025, whooping cough activity in early 2026 has returned to levels typically seen between outbreaks. Vaccination during pregnancy and on-time childhood immunisation remain the best protection for babies.

16 February 2026 - The Australian Centre for Disease Control has today released the sixth AURA report, which reveals the latest antibiotic resistance and antimicrobial use data in Australia.

16 February 2026 - The CDC today released the 'Sixth Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health' (AURA report). The report draws together national data from hospitals, residential aged care and the wider community between 2022 and 2024.

16 January 2026 - Fake rabies vaccines have been reported circulating across India since 2023. Take precautions to protect your health if you received a rabies vaccine in India on or after 1 November 2023.

9 February 2026 - The CDC continues to monitor the Nipah virus situation in India and Bangladesh.

29 January 2026 - We are monitoring the situation overseas following 2 confirmed cases of Nipah virus infection reported in India. Australians travelling to areas where Nipah virus circulates should take steps to protect themselves. Nipah virus has not been detected in animals or people in Australia.

22 January 2026 - The extreme heat taking hold across Australia can cause major – even life-threatening – health issues, especially for people at higher risk of heat-related illness. Here are some tips on coping with a heatwave.

19 January 2026 - We’re keen to hear from everyone who uses our website how we can improve it. Your input will help us understand your information needs, how well the website responds to those needs and what you expect from it in the future.

16 January 2026 - As floodwaters recede, health risks increase, including infections, mosquito-borne illnesses, and food and water contamination. If you’re in an area affected by floods, take steps to protect your health.

13 January 2026 - COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remained stable across December, but flu increased with the ongoing circulation of influenza A(H3N2) subclade K.

12 January 2026 - The Australian CDC invites applications for grants under the Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) and Sexually Transmissible Infections (STI) Research Program.

10 January 2026 - If you're in the line of the bushfires burning across Australia, it's important to follow the advice of your local emergency service. And remember that smoke can be just as harmful, even far away from the fire front. Here are some tips on reducing the impact of bushfire smoke on your health.

1 January 2026 - From today, the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) is operating as a standalone national agency, strengthening Australia’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats.