A report from the Communicable Diseases Network Australia: 1 January to 31 March 2006.

The Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) consists of communicable disease authorities from various Australian Government agencies and state and territory health authorities, in addition to expert bodies and individuals in the specifi c areas of communicable disease epidemiology, clinical management, disease control and laboratory diagnosis. The CDNA provides national public health leadership and coordination on communicable disease surveillance, prevention and control, and offers strategic advice to governments and other key bodies on public health actions to minimise the impact of communicable diseases in Australia and the region. During the fi rst quarter of 2006, CDNA considered the following issues: Pre-departure communicable diseases health screening protocol for refugees In February, CDNA endorsed the Pre-Departure Communicable Diseases Health Screening Protocol for Refugees Arriving from Africa for use by the International Offi ce of Migration which conducts pre-departure health screening on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. In March, this was followed by endorsement of Pre-Departure Communicable Diseases Health Screening Protocol for Refugees Arriving from the Thai/Burmese Border. State and territory health authorities reported an increase in calls from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) regarding passengers arriving from overseas with diarrhoea. CDNA provided advice to the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing offi cers liaising with the Australian Customs Service and AQIS. Review of non-Medicare funded pathology services CDNA approved Dr Rod Givney as their representative in a review of non-Medicare funded pathology services. The review is being undertaken by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. This appointment was made in March and is current for the term of the review. New Chair – National Tuberculosis Advisory Committee Following his retirement as Chair of the National Tuberculosis Advisory Committee (NTAC), CDNA members thanked Dr Antic for his signifi cant contributions over many years to the management, prevention and control of tuberculosis. CDNA endorsed Dr Vicki Krause as the new Chair of NTAC on 29 March 2006. New Chair – Case Defi nitions Working Group CDNA noted Dr Gary Dowse had resigned as Chair of the Case Defi nitions Working Group and thanked Gary for his contribution to the development of case defi nitions used within the National Notifi able Diseases Surveillance System. Working Group member Dr Mark Bartlett was endorsed as the new Chair of the Case Defi nitions Working Group on 29 March 2006.