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Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Advisory Committee (TSEAC)
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Functions
TSEAC provides independent expert advice on:
- Measures necessary to prevent and limit the spread of variant Creutzfelt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) and other Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) in Australia;
- Current or future TSE risks for the Australian population;
- International best-practice in protecting against the risks of TSE, including advice developed by international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Office Internationale des Epizooties (OIE);
- The adequacy of surveillance and control measures implemented by Australian governments and how these measures might be improved ;
- Research necessary to develop the evidence base on TSE risks for Australia;
- The most appropriate means for communicating information about levels of risk and preventive measures to the Australian public; and
- Promoting professional education about TSEs.
In addition, the committee builds beneficial relationships and provides scientific advice to other areas of the NHMRC, government agencies and non-government stakeholders.
Composition
The members of TSEAC are internationally recognised experts in human and veterinary medicine and public health. The NHMRC, through this committee, will ensure that Australian governments receive world-class advice in a timely manner.
TSEAC Membership
| Chair | Professor Graeme Ryan AC |
| Deputy Chair | Professor Colin Masters |
| Expert in quarantine and risk analysis | Dr Kevin Doyle |
| Expert in communicable diseases and diagnostic testing | Dr Deborah Middleton |
| Expert in communicable diseases | Member to be appointed |
| Expert in blood transfusion | Dr Tony Keller |
| Expert in prions and TSE | Professor Michael Alpers |
| Expert in neurology | A/Professor Steven Collins |
| Expert in surgery/neurosurgery | Member to be appointed |
| Expert in public health and human ethics | Dr Neville Hicks |
| Expert in human risk assessment | Professor John Kaldor |
| Expert in health law and human ethics | Dr Roger Magnusson |
| Expert in consumer perspectives | Ms Sharon Caris |
| Observers | Department of Health and Ageing Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Therapeutic Goods Administration National Blood Authority Australian Quarantine Inspection Service Food Standards Australia New Zealand Ministry of Health (NZ) |
History
Late in 2000, the NHMRC established an expert committee on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), to provide expert advice to Australian governments on all matters necessary to prevent and limit the spread of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) and other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in Australia. The first meeting of the committee was held on 30 January 2001.
In November 2006, the committee's name was changed from the Special Expert Committee on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (SECTSE) to the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Advisory Committee (TSEAC) to better reflect its role in providing advice to the NHMRC.
Media Releases
- » NHMRC Expert Committee Endorses Vaccine - 11 October 2002
- » Plan of Action to Respond to vCJD - 15 May 2002
- » Blood Donor Travel Survey To Begin In February - 5 February 2002
Publications
- NHMRC Special Expert Committee on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies - Report on activities in 2001 - April 2002
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