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This issue

This issue of CDI has a focus on Neisseria with the publication of the 1997 Annual Reports of the Australian Meningococcal Surveillance Programme (p 205) and the Australian Gonococcal Surveillance Programme (p 212). While the meningococcus and the gonococcus have different means of transmission and cause very different diseases, each is showing changes in epidemiology and patterns of antimicrobial resistance which have important implications for treatment and for public health management and control. In his thought-provoking editorial, Donovan (p 216) draws out these implications for the gonococcus and challenges us to respond to prevent the organism from again becoming hyperendemic. We continue our series on important issues in immunisation with the article by Botham et al (p 218) on the immunisation of preterm infants. Media reports will have made many readers aware of the current outbreak of Newcastle disease (ND) in poultry in NSW. The outbreak report (p 222) provides useful information for reassuring the public about the very low risk to human health from the ND virus. The report of an outbreak of Q fever in an abattoir in NSW (p 222) provides a reminder of the importance of vaccination for abattoir workers throughout Australia.

More changes in the editorial team

Since my last column, the CDI editorial team has farewelled another member, our deputy editor, Corrine Rann. Corrine worked with us for 15 months and was the person of first contact for many of our readers, contributors and reviewers. She implemented many improvements to the CDI layout and her editorial skills ensured that each issue of CDI was produced to a high standard. Her skills and contributions are missed. This is my last editor's column as I am moving shortly to a new position within the Department of Health and Family Services. Pending the appointment of a new Editor and Deputy/Assistant editors, the remaining members of the CDI editorial team will continue to publish national surveillance data and outbreak information. However, publication of the 1997 Annual report of the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System will be delayed, as will a number of the articles currently in preparation. Please be patient as it will not be long before CDI will be back to normal.

Bronwen Harvey


This article was published in Communicable Diseases Intelligence Volume 22, No 10, 1 October 1998.