COVID-19: Integrating genomic and epidemiological data to inform public health interventions and policy in Tasmania, Australia.

Objective: We undertook an integrated analysis of genomic and epidemiological data to investigate a large health-care-associated outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to better understand the epidemiology of COVID-19 cases in Tasmania, Australia.

Methods: Epidemiological data collected on COVID-19 cases notified in Tasmania between 2 March and 15 May 2020, and positive samples of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or RNA extracted from the samples were included. Sequencing was conducted by tiled amplicon polymerase chain reaction with ARTIC v1 or v3 primers and Illumina sequencing.

Epidemiologic, Entomologic, and Virologic Factors of the 2014-15 Ross River Virus Outbreak, Queensland, Australia.

Australia experienced its largest recorded outbreak of Ross River virus (RRV) during the 2014-15 reporting year, comprising >10,000 reported cases. We investigated epidemiologic, entomologic, and virologic factors that potentially contributed to the scale of the outbreak in Queensland, the state with the highest number of notifications (6,371). Spatial analysis of human cases showed that notifications were geographically widespread.

A novel public health threat - high lead solder in stainless steel rainwater tanks in Tasmania.

Objective: We identified two water tanks in Tasmania with water lead concentrations exceeding the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) limit; they had been constructed with stainless steel and high-lead solder from a single manufacturer. An investigation was initiated to identify all tanks constructed by this manufacturer and prevent further exposure to contaminated water.

Methods: To identify water tanks we used sales accounts, blood and water lead results from laboratories, and media.

Invasive pneumococcal disease in Australia, 2009 and 2010.

Enhanced surveillance for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) was conducted in all Australian states and territories in 2009 and 2010 with comprehensive comparative data available since 2002. There were 1,556 cases of IPD notified to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System in Australia in 2009, a notification rate of 7.2 cases per 100,000 population.

An outbreak of norovirus linked to oysters in Tasmania.

Norovirus is the most commonly reported virus in shellfish related gastroenteritis outbreaks. In March 2013 an investigation was conducted following the receipt of reports of gastroenteritis after the consumption of oysters at private functions in Tasmania. Cases were ascertained through general practitioners, emergency departments, media releases and self-reporting.