Australia develops world-first foot and mouth vaccine to protect livestock
This FMD vaccine is an mRNA vaccine which is unique in that it is fully synthetic making it safer and much faster to produce.
The development of this new vaccine is part of the Minns Government's $1 billion biosecurity plan, aimed at safeguarding New South Wales' US$8 billion livestock sector and reinforcing national food security.
The vaccine has taken less than 18 months to develop and has cost about $2.5 million.
Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Doctor-patient trust is key to unlocking AI's potential to improve healthcare in Australia, finds Philips' Future Health Index Report
Two-thirds (66%) of Australians welcome technology for improved care, but more than half (53%) are concerned it will mean less face time with their doctor. Three in four (74%) Australian healthcare professionals report losing clinical time due to incomplete or inaccessible patient data, with one fifth of these (19%) losing over 45 minutes per shift, amounting to 23 full days lost per year. Australians are less optimistic about AI in healthcare (43%) compared to their healthcare providers (85%), highlighting a critical trust gap. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 6 August 2025 - Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today released the Australian findings of its 10th edition of the Future Health Index 2025 report: Building trust in healthcare AI. For the first time, the report includes the perspectives of more than 1,000 Australian patients alongside their healthcare professionals, revealing a clear directive: Australians will embrace AI in healthcare, but only if it enhances, rather than replaces, the vital doctor-patient relationship. Whilst patients and providers see the potential for AI to address major challenges such as care delays and staff burnout, they believe its primary role should be to empower clinicians, allowing for more meaningful, human-centric care. "This 10th edition of the Future Health Index gives us the clearest picture yet of what Australians want for their healthcare: technology must serve the human connection", said Shehaan Fernando, interim Managing Director of Philips Australia and New Zealand. "For patients, building trust is as important as building technology. At Philips, we are committed to a human-centric vision for AI that empowers clinicians and strengthens the doctor-patient relationship that Australians value". Patients welcome tech, but protect p ersonal relationships The report uncovers a key tension in Australian attitudes towards technology. Whilst a majority (66%) of Australians welcome new technology if it improves the quality of their care, more than half (53%) express concern that it could lead to less direct interaction with their doctors. This desire for human connection is amplified by Australia's long-standing reliance on GP services as the foundation of the healthcare system. The findings suggest patients see AI's ideal role as a powerful support tool that handles administrative tasks, streamlines data access, and ultimately frees up GPs to engage in more in-depth, meaningful consultations. In Australia, three in four healthcare professionals (74%) report losing clinical time due to incomplete or inaccessible patient data, with one fifth of these (19%) losing more than 45 minutes per shift – adding up to 23 full days lost per healthcare professional each year [1]. AI's ability to manage and streamline patient data holds the key to reclaiming this time, allowing healthcare professionals to dedicate more focus to direct patient care. Doctors as trusted guides to AI When it comes to navigating the complexities of AI, Australians place their trust in their healthcare professionals. 79% of Australians would be most comfortable receiving information about AI in their care from their doctor, surpassing news outlets (48%) and social media (31%). This underscores the indispensable role of clinicians in guiding public acceptance and integration of AI. However, the report also notes that healthcare professionals themselves have questions, with 77% concerned or unclear about liability for AI errors. Australians are less optimistic about AI's benefits (43%) compared to their healthcare providers (84%), highlighting a critical trust gap. "As clinicians, we see the incredible potential for AI to help us diagnose earlier and create more personalised treatment plans", said Dr Tim Bowles, Head of Department - HIVE (Health in a Virtual Environment), at East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS) in Western Australia. "AI can empower us to spend less time on administration and more time with our patients, ensuring technology elevates, rather than diminishes, the human element of care". Philips ' Commitment: Driving Human-Centred Innovation Philips' expertise in virtual hospital services and clinical command centres aligns with EMHS's efforts to improve patient-centred care and proactively detect the risk of patient deterioration. This collaboration, featuring the HIVE program and the deployment of a Clinical Command Centre solution leveraging machine learning and predictive analytics, has demonstrated significant patient outcomes. "By integrating AI into our clinical workflows, we've been able to detect patient deterioration earlier, intervene faster, and ultimately deliver safer, more effective care. AI has become a vital tool in supporting our clinicians and improving outcomes when and where it matters most." — Adam Lloyd, Area Director Community & Virtual Care East Metropolitan Health Service Data indicates the Clinical Command Centre has led to a 26% reduction in patient mortality [2], a 30% reduction in length of stay [3], and has helped 15% of patients be discharged home faster [4]. Furthermore, the program facilitated over 10,000 clinical interactions over a 12-month period, with 10% being for urgent or life-threatening reasons, and 64% of all interactions occurring after hours or on weekends. By integrating technology seamlessly into clinical workflows, Philips helps to augment the skills of healthcare professionals and improve patient care when it's needed most. "Our long-term vision is to deliver responsible, human-centric AI that addresses the real-world challenges of patients and providers", said Shehaan Fernando, interim Managing Director of Philips Australia and New Zealand. "By partnering with the medical community, we can ensure that innovation builds trust, improves outcomes, and supports a future of providing better care for more people". For more information, or to download the full FHI 2025 Australia report, visit [1] FHI 2025 Australia report: Based on an eight-hour shift, working 250 days per year. This amounts to 187.50 hours lost per healthcare professional on average. [2] Lilly CM, et al. A Multi-center Study of ICU Telemedicine Reengineering of Adult Critical Care. CHEST. 2014; 145(3): 500-7. [3] Lilly CM, et al. Hospital Mortality, Length of Stay and Preventable Complications Among Critically Ill Patients Before and After Tele-ICU Reengineering of Critical Care Processes. JAMA. June 2011; 305(21) 2175-83.[5] Impact of an Intensive Care Unit Telemedicine Program on a Rural Health Care System. Zawada, et al. Postgrad Med J, 2009; 121(3):160-170. [4] Impact of an Intensive Care Unit Telemedicine Program on a Rural Health Care System. Zawada, et al. Postgrad Med J, 2009; 121(3):160-170. Hashtag: #Philips The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Royal Philips About Royal Philips Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips' patient- and people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the home. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2024 sales of EUR 18.2 billion and employs approximately 70,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at About the Future Health Index The Future Health Index is commissioned by Philips. In its 10th edition, the Future Health Index 2025 investigates how innovative technologies, particularly AI, can empower healthcare professionals to deliver better care for more people. Two quantitative surveys were carried out among more than 1,900 healthcare professionals and more than 16,000 patients in 16 countries. The surveys were conducted from December 2024 to April 2025. For more information, or to download the full FHI 2025 Global Report, visit Royal Philips
Zawya
3 days ago
- Zawya
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) strengthens animal production and health coordination in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region
The second annual meeting of the Coordinating Unit for Animal Production and Health (CUFAPH) under the FAO Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS) was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, bringing together 30 national animal health experts from across Southern Africa, regional organizations, and FAO technical staff. CUFAPH is a multidisciplinary platform established in 2020 to promote technical cooperation, knowledge exchange, and harmonized approaches to animal health and production across SADC Member States. It brings together key actors to align national efforts with regional priorities, build veterinary capacity, and facilitate cross-border collaboration in line with the One Health approach. Livestock development is vital to the livelihoods and food security of over 100 million people in the SADC region, where livestock farming sustains 42 percent of the population, contributes up to 40 percent of agricultural GDP and offers a key pathway out of poverty, especially for smallholder farmers. Officially opening the workshop, Dr. Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa, commended CUFAPH for its work in tackling the challenge of transboundary animal diseases and promoting sustainable livestock development. 'Through CUFAPH, we are working to transform livestock systems so they contribute not only to economic growth but also to healthier people, animals, and ecosystems, reflecting the spirit of One Health. This work supports FAO's aspiration of Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life for all, leaving no one behind,' Dr. Talla said. The FAO Representative in South Africa, Dr Babagana Ahmadu, welcomed participants and underscored the importance of regional collaboration. 'We are keen and continue to work closely with our neighbours to improve veterinary services and address transboundary animal diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease, to safeguard livelihoods and ensure food security for all,' he said. Taking Stock and Setting Priorities The CUFAPH 2nd Annual Workshop provided an important platform to review progress, share experiences, and set priorities for the year ahead. Discussions placed particular emphasis on Adaptive Resource Mobilization (RM), aimed at sharpening CUFAPH's capacity to design high-quality, fundable proposals to help countries navigate the shrinking donor landscape and increasing competition for resources. CUFAPH thematic groups including Livestock Production, One Health, Laboratory, Disease Control, Emergency and Resilience (DiCER) and the Virtual Learning Centre reported on their achievements and agreed on key outcomes to strengthen regional animal production and health coordination. Reflecting on the year's progress, Dr Berhanu Bedane, CUFAPH Team Lead, said 'In the past year, CUFAPH has made tangible contributions to regional animal production and health coordination, from supporting countries to develop national One Health strategies to expanding online training for veterinarians and technicians. This meeting was an opportunity to build on that momentum and ensure that our work translates into meaningful impact for farmers, animal health workers, and communities.' A key highlight of the workshop was the impact of the EU-funded STOSAR II Project, which is supporting animal health activities in the region and contributing to the operationalization of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy. Looking Ahead: Strategic Recommendations Following deliberations, CUFAPH members agreed on a set of strategic recommendations and action points to guide future interventions in the SADC region: The establishment of a Laboratory Thematic Working Group by identifying members and drafting terms of reference and work plan for the group. Enhanced capacity building through identifying priority topics for both virtual and in-person training to enhance technical skills across the region. Strengthen communications and visibility through the development of a robust communications plan, supported by content contributions from project leads and members, to showcase CUFAPH's work and impact. Advance resource mobilization efforts by preparing and pitching concept notes at a strategic level, allowing integration across thematic areas. Rebrand the Virtual Learning Centre to increase its appeal and uptake, positioning it as a cost-effective tool for continuous learning. Institutionalize disease intelligence and digital tools by promoting the use of Livestock Information Management Systems (LIMS) and e-certification to improve efficiency and traceability in animal health services. The meeting concluded with team-building activities designed to strengthen collaboration and ensure smooth coordination across the region. These efforts will help CUFAPH maintain impactful animal health and production interventions, contributing to sustainable and resilient livelihoods in Southern Africa. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.
Emirates 24/7
4 days ago
- Emirates 24/7
Australia develops world-first foot and mouth vaccine to protect livestock
A team of scientists in New South Wales has developed the world's first mRNA vaccine designed to protect livestocks from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious viral illness that poses a major threat to livestock. This FMD vaccine is an mRNA vaccine which is unique in that it is fully synthetic making it safer and much faster to produce. The development of this new vaccine is part of the Minns Government's $1 billion biosecurity plan, aimed at safeguarding New South Wales' US$8 billion livestock sector and reinforcing national food security. The vaccine has taken less than 18 months to develop and has cost about $2.5 million. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
