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    National High Security Quarantine Laboratory (NHSQL)

    2. Responsible public or private organization or company: 
    The NHSQL is housed within the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) of The Peter Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, a joint venture between the University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
    3. Location and postal address
    Location: Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) 792 Elizabeth Street Melbourne VIC 3000 AUSTRALIA Postal Address: National High Security Quarantine Laboratory c/o VIDRL Locked Bag 815 Carlton South VIC 3053 AUSTRALIA
    4. Source(s) of financing of the reported activity, including indication if the activity is wholly or partly financed by the Ministry of Defence

    This facility receives no funding from the Australian Department of Defence. It receives funding from the Commonwealth and State Departments of Health.

    5. Number of maximum containment units5 within the research centre and/or laboratory, with an indication of their respective size (SqM):
    No containment units defined
    6. Scope and general description of activities, including type(s) of micro-organisms and/or toxins as appropriate

    The diagnosis of possible imported cases of viral haemorrhagic fever or other quarantinable diseases that present a significant danger to the Australian community and the development of laboratory tests and protocols for exotic respiratory viral diseases, including influenzavirus A/H5N1 (‘bird flu’) and SARS. In addition, VIDRL has established and maintained the capability to perform diagnostic testing for the variolavirus.

    (4) For facilities with maximum containment units participating in the national biological defence research and development programme, please fill in name of facility and mark "Declared in accordance with Form A, part 2 (iii)".

    (5) In accordance with the latest edition of the WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual, or equivalent.

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