New national surveillance data suggests this year's flu season may not be over, with cases rising and experts monitoring whether another peak could occur. At the same time, Australia is tracking H5N1 avian influenza in wild birds and other animal species.

Explore our work in research, public health and education at the Doherty Institute.

A Melbourne-led study published in Nature Microbiology has found that mosquito control in an urban setting can reduce a person’s risk of contracting Buruli ulcer by over 80 per cent – the first evidence that suppressing mosquito populations directly protects people from the disease.

A Melbourne-based study has revealed that patients admitted to intensive care suffering from severe trauma or COVID-19 experience remarkably similar disruptions to their immune systems, opening the door to new precision treatments for intensive care units worldwide.

Researchers at the Doherty Institute have uncovered a critical genetic change that helped Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB), evolve into one of the deadliest pathogens in human history.

The COVID-19 antivirals molnupiravir (Lagevrio) and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) were introduced early in the pandemic to prevent high-risk individuals from becoming seriously unwell.

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Explore our work in research, public health and education at the Doherty Institute.

Explore our work in research, public health and education at the Doherty Institute.

Explore our work in research, public health and education at the Doherty Institute.

Melbourne researchers have led the world’s largest study confirming most patients labelled allergic to penicillin are not truly allergic.

A landmark international clinical trial has identified the optimal antibiotics for golden staph bloodstream infections, a breakthrough that is set to reshape treatment for the life-threatening condition.

Our Impact Report captures a snapshot of what we achieved in 2025, showcasing the breadth and depth of our work in research, public health and education.

Doherty Institute experts answer common questions about diphtheria, covering symptoms, risks, and prevention for Australians.

Explore our work in research, public health and education at the Doherty Institute.

Internationally recognised for their contributions to immunology and infectious diseases research, University of Melbourne immunologists Professor Laura Mackay and Professor Katherine Kedzierska from the Doherty Institute have been elected as Fellows of...

Explore our work in research, public health and education at the Doherty Institute.

Reported influenza cases so far in 2026 have halved compared to the same period in 2025, however last year was an unpredictable flu season. As we prepare for the start of winter, the most effective way to reduce the impact of respiratory infections is t...

Discover how γδ T cells ignite long‑lasting immune protection against malaria, revealing their unique role at the crossroads of innate and adaptive immunity and opening new avenues for future vaccine research.

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Australia’s Poliovirus Essential Facility hosted by the National Enterovirus Reference Laboratory, based at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (Doherty Institute), has been awarded a World Health Organization (WHO) Certificate of Con...

A new study from the Doherty Institute shows that seasonal influenza vaccination does more than protect against viruses circulating that year; it can also prime the immune system to respond to future strains, including some that emerge decades later.

A team of researchers at the Doherty Institute have now put that versatility to work in a new device: the world's first rapid, point-of-care test capable of detecting all major bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – including syphilis – on a...

Developed by Gladstone scientists, HIV-seq could uncover new opportunities for treating HIV.

A world-first portable point-of-care test that detects four common sexually transmitted infections at once, in under an hour. The test, which detects syphilis, a high-burden infection, could significantly reduce transmission and improve access to timely treatment. 

The study raises the possibility of a single vaccine that could protect against multiple life-threatening bacterial infections.

Discover how γδ T cells ignite long‑lasting immune protection against malaria, revealing their unique role at the crossroads of innate and adaptive immunity and opening new avenues for future vaccine ...

Researchers may have developed a new way to fight drug-resistant bacteria, using specially engineered antibodies that target a sugar found only on bacterial cells. This approach allows the immune system to precisely identify harmful bacteria, potentiall...

Doherty Institute's Dr Danielle Anderson shares the latest insights on Nipah virus reemergence in India, with two recent confirmed cases in West Bengal.

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YouTube video by Doherty Institute

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YouTube video by Doherty Institute

YouTube video by Doherty Institute

What an unusual season tells us about the year ahead