Topic 8.3
How can immunisation programs and public health measures help protect communities and individuals in conflict-affected regions?
Infectious diseases pose a significant threat in regions impacted by war and limited healthcare resources. This page highlights how immunisation programs protect Australian soldiers and examines the role of public health measures during epidemics and pandemics, including insights from the flu pandemic during World War I.
Infectious Diseases in the Developing World
Prof G Dennis Shanks is responsible for making sure that Australian soldiers are immunised. This is to protect them against infections that they may meet at home or in foreign countries. Epidemics are more likely to happen in places where war is happening. Prof Shanks explores important and interesting diseases here and in the Pacific. He explains the flu pandemic, which started during World War 1.