ACIPC

You are warmly invited to attend the July Vascular Access Special Interest Group (VASIG) meeting.
Date: Tuesday 14 July 2026
Time: 2:00PM AEST

In our upcoming VASIG meeting, guest speaker Melanie Trainor will present on a standardised education resource for PIVC insertion and management, alongside Western Australian surveillance data on healthcare-associated Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections linked to PIVCs. Dr Josie Lovegrove will also share Queensland-wide results from a PIVC point prevalence study.

The meeting will include updates on the VASIG/AVAS partnership, vascular access policy repository, ultrasound-guided PIVC insertion position statement, and a special vascular access issue of Infection, Disease and Health. We will also introduce a new PIVC Point Prevalence Snapshot Study, with an opportunity to express interest in participating.

Speakers:
🎤Ms Melanie Trainor
🎤Professor Claire Rickard
🎤Dr Josie Lovegrove

To register for the July meeting, please click the following link:
https://cdesign.eventsair.com/acipc-secretariat/sig-va.

Finally, don't miss the VASIG workshop at the ACIPC Conference (Sunday 8 November), led by Associate Professor Evan Alexandrou on Principles and Practice in Difficult Venous Access.

ACIPC26 Keynote Speakers Announced

Two internationally recognised leaders in infection prevention and control will headline the 2026 ACIPC International Conference (Gold Coast, 8–11 November).

Professor Brett Mitchell AM — Professor of Nursing, Avondale University, and Editor-in-Chief of Infection, Disease & Health — and Professor Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz — Professor at Villanova University's M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing and Adjunct Faculty at Thomas Jefferson University College of Population Health — bring deep research expertise and real-world perspective to this year's program.

Early-bird registration is now open. Secure your place and save.
🔗 https://acipcconference.com.au/registration/

First detection of H5 bird flu in Australia

On 20 June 2026, the Australian Government confirmed Australia's first detection of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) — the strain circulating globally — in a brown skua, a migratory seabird, found sick in southern Western Australia on 14 June. The detection was confirmed by CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, and samples from a sick giant petrel in the same region have returned a suspect positive result, with testing underway. There have been no detections in poultry and no evidence of mortality in other species, so Australia's HPAI-free status in poultry is unaffected.

The Australian Centre for Disease Control advises the public health risk is low, as H5 bird flu rarely affects humans, and Food Standards Australia and New Zealand confirm there is no food safety risk from chicken meat or eggs when handled and cooked correctly. WA's Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is leading the on-ground response, with DAFF supporting national coordination and surveillance to determine the extent of infection in wildlife.

What you can do:
If you see multiple sick or dead birds or animals, avoid contact, record what you observe, and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 (from anywhere in Australia).

Further information and resources: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu

ACIPC thank our 2026 Silver Conference Sponsor, Nanosonics

The support of sponsors plays a pivotal role in fostering an enriching environment for knowledge exchange and networking at the conference.

Find out more about Nanosonics here:
https://www.nanosonics.com.au/

Congratulations to ACIPC Board Director Dr Kathy Dempsey AM for recognition in the King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List.

Kathy was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to infection prevention and control, to patient safety, and to clinical governance.

Well done, and thank you for your contribution to IPC and ACPIC, Kathy.

Joining us for ACIPC26? Turn your trip into a Gold Coast adventure!

With so much to see and do, from the pristine beaches to wildlife sanctuaries, theme parks, world-class dining experiences, and 300 sunny days per year, you are spoiled for choice pre and post conference.

Whether you’re an adventurer, foodie, or nature lover, the Gold Coast offers an unforgettable experience worth extending your stay.

For more inspiration in planning your trip see more information
https://acipcconference.com.au/gold-coast/

ACIPC is pleased to offer scholarships each year to support financial members in reducing the out-of-pocket costs associated with attending the ACIPC International Conference.

We are excited to announce that the 2026 ACIPC International Conference will be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast, from 8–11 November 2026 — acipcconference.com.au.

This year, we are proud to continue offering a range of scholarships designed to broaden access and support participation across our diverse IPC community.

The available scholarships are:
✅ ACIPC International Conference Scholarship – Pacific Region
✅ ACIPC International Conference Scholarship – Australia and New Zealand
✅ ACIPC International Conference Scholarship – Rural and Remote
✅ ACIPC International Conference Scholarship – First Nations

Attending the ACIPC International Conference provides an invaluable opportunity to strengthen your infection prevention and control knowledge and skills, stay current with evidence-based practice, and connect with colleagues from across the sector.

To apply or learn more, please visit: https://www.acipc.org.au/awards.

Applications close 9:00 am AEST Monday, 10 August 2026.

The updated and endorsed Ebola disease Series of National Guidelines and Case Investigation Form are now published on the Australian CDC website here:
https://www.cdc.gov.au/resources/publications/cdna-national-guidelines-ebola

These guidelines for Public Health Units provide nationally consistent guidance on how to respond to Ebola disease. They are part of a Series of National Guidelines (SoNGs) published by the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA).

You can access the SoNs by following this link:
https://www.cdc.gov.au/resources/collections/cdna-series-national-guidelines-songs

You are invited to attend the July Rural, Remote & Regional Special Interest Group (RRR SIG) meeting.

📅Wednesday, 1 July 2026
⏱️ 2:00PM AEST

This is a free event offered online via Microsoft Teams.

Topic: Re-Emergence of Diphtheria in Australia: Prevention, Response and RRR Impact

Respiratory diphtheria is re-emerging in Australia, raising important questions for those working in rural, regional and remote (RRR) healthcare settings. Join us for this timely and thought-provoking RRR SIG as we unpack what this resurgence means for frontline services and the communities they care for. Presented by Dr Tonia Marquardt, this session will explore the evolving epidemiology of respiratory diphtheria, the current public health response, and the unique challenges faced in RRR contexts. As Chair of the CDNA working group for the Diphtheria Series of National Guidelines (SoNG), Tonia is at the forefront of shaping Australia’s response and translating emerging evidence into national practice.

To register for the July meeting, please click the link here: https://cdesign.eventsair.com/acipc-secretariat/sig-rrr/Site/Register

June's NCAS webinar will focus on the topic of Environmental AMR &AMS.

Date: Wednesday 17 June 2026
Time: 8.30AM AEST
Host: Dr Ri Scarborough

Presentations:
🔍The environmental blind spot in Antimicrobial stewardship – Dr Claire Hayward, Postgraduate Research Fellow, Adelaide University and SAAFE CRC
🔍Antimicrobial Stewardship in Australian Viticulture: Monitoring, Reporting and Managing Fungicide Resistance – Robyn Dixon, Research and Innovation Program Manager – Biosecurity, Pests and Diseases, Wine Australia

Register now at:
https://www.ncas-australia.org/seminar-series