This project was developed in response to an identified need within the Pacific to increase diagnostic capacity for animal and zoonotic diseases. The establishment of a Pacific Laboratory Network, including reference laboratories in Australia and New Zealand, will ensure regional coordination, consistent diagnostic approaches, and timely support for animal disease investigations. This capacity is crucial for early detection and treatment, prevention, surveillance and monitoring and regional biosecurity, both for animals and people. PaNDAS will adopt a twinning approach to build relationships and knowledge networks between CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness and in-country partners and organisations throughout the course of the project. This approach will support the sustainability of sub-regional networks within the Pacific and ongoing engagement more broadly with networks across Asia and the Pacific.
