Growing push to address airborne pathogens

Held at the University of Melbourne, the forum was convened by the Australian Academy of Science, the Australasian College for Infection Protection and Control, the Burnet Institute and the Victorian Healthcare Association.

The goal was to raise awareness of the importance of worker and patient protections from airborne pathogens in Victorian healthcare settings. It was an opportunity to showcase practical solutions, discuss challenges, and to engage with the audience.

Dr Bronwyn King AO opened proceedings by describing the state of play: despite transmission of airborne pathogens in healthcare settings taking a huge toll on both workers and patients, it is still not well recognised or well addressed. She noted that airborne diseases such as influenza, RSV and COVID-19 can have acute and long-term health impacts, interrupt treatment for cancer patients, worsen outcomes for those suffering other conditions and, according to recent data, may even “awaken” cancer cells in patients with a history of breast cancer.

On a positive note, Dr King pointed to bodies around the world, including some in Australia, working towards establishing indoor air quality guidelines, standards, and policies. She also reiterated the vital role of education, engineering solutions and prioritising health and safety of both healthcare workers and patients, in achieving better health outcomes, before introducing the panel.

Pathogens in policy

Safe Work Australia CEO Marie Boland joined the panel virtually to speak about the Australian work, health and safety frameworks that cover airborne pathogens, such as the Model Code of Practice for the healthcare and social assistance industry, released in July 2025. Boland noted that the healthcare and social assistance industry has the highest number of work-related injuries of any industry in Australia, and a workers’ compensation claim rate more than twice that of the national average. Although a large number of these are musculoskeletal conditions, slips, trips and falls, workers in this sector are also at much greater risk of exposure to biological hazards.

At the time of the event, the draft model code of practice for managing the risks of biological hazards at work was open for public comment, and Boland encouraged attendees to provide feedback.

Anna-Maria Arabia OAM, Chief Executive of the Australian Academy of Science, spoke about IAQ as a policy gap, and a huge opportunity. She stressed that our knowledge is still limited, and that by gathering more data we can understand things better before mandatory standards are implemented. She also reiterated the need for a thorough economic analysis of improving IAQ, and for the formation of a multi-disciplinary taskforce.

Putting knowledge into action

Burnet Institute CEO Professor Brendan Crabb reminded the audience that airborne transmission of diseases is still not an accepted paradigm. He spoke about the work his organisation is doing through the Pathway to Clean Indoor Air project. Dr Christian McGrath provided his perspective as Victorian Deputy Chief Health Officer (Communicable Disease) and noted that women and children are over-represented in the population affected by IAQ.

Professor Jason Monty, Head of Electrical Mechanical and Infrastructure Engineering at University of Melbourne, spoke about the wide variety of indoor spaces. While some offices have very good IAQ, he said, schools and aged care facilities often don’t. He also reflected on the story of John Snow, who discovered the connection between cholera and water supply. Professor Monty reminded the audience that, based on Snow’s example, change requires sustained effort and doesn’t happen overnight.

Associate Professor Stéphane Bouchoucha, President of the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) spoke next, noting that professionals in the field are making changes based on learnings about airborne pathogens. He emphasised the need to continue the work and to lead with evidence in order to be future ready.

It was a good segue to Dr Marion Kainer, Head Infectious Diseases at Western Health, who presented recent and eye-opening evidence about hospital-acquired diseases. In Victoria, hospital-acquired COVID-19 accounts for three-quarters of all hospital-acquired infections, and 90-day mortality rates for hospital-acquired COVID-19 are 18.9%.

Dr Kainer pointed to a Victorian study that shows the use of N95 masks in hospitals could prevent 854–1,543 deaths per year and save $54.7–78.4 million. She noted that in times gone by, it was thought inevitable that some patients would acquire diseases in hospital, but good hygiene and processes have changed the game. It left the audience wondering why a similar change can’t be made to prevent the transmission of airborne pathogens.

The human impact

ACTU Assistant Secretary Liam O’Brien pointed out that 200 Australians lose their lives at work every year, but more than 5,000 die from diseases acquired in the workplace. He underlined the need to consider biological hazards. He also stressed that workers have a right to be consulted regarding risks in the workplace.

The panel closed with a powerful presentation from Amy Lewis, co-founder of the Safer Air Project, who shared her family’s experience with the health system. Amy’s husband has cystic fibrosis and has had a double lung transplant, making him – like a huge number of Australians – particularly vulnerable to airborne pathogens.

Amy described having to take her husband to the hospital, informing the emergency department of his medical history and asking if the staff who attended him could wear masks. She was told that she could ask the doctors and nurses herself, but she would have to do so individually. As Amy pointed out, we wouldn’t expect to have to ask medical staff to wash their hands or use sterilised equipment, so why should we have to ask them to take basic precautions to prevent the spread of airborne pathogens?

The audience Q&A that followed focused on the different levers that could bring change in Australia. Although a variety of perspectives were presented, the common theme was clear: action on improving indoor air quality in healthcare is urgently required.

Photos courtesy of Burnet Institute.

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