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The certification confirms that Australia’s Poliovirus Essential Facility hosted by the National Enterovirus Reference Laboratory meets strict international standards for the safe handling and secure storage of poliovirus samples. The facility is based at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory.
Although polio has been eliminated in Australia for many years, a small number of specialist laboratories around the world retain virus samples for:
- diagnostic testing
- surveillance
- outbreak response.
These laboratories must meet rigorous biosafety requirements set by the WHO.
The certification recognises Australia’s ongoing contribution to the global effort to eradicate polio, and its role in supporting regional surveillance and response activities, including wastewater monitoring for poliovirus.
Australia is one of a small number of countries globally to receive this certification.