With MERS, SARS, H1N1, H7N9 and AMR emerging globally or in our region over the last 15 years there have been more than enough public health threats to worry the public, invigorate scientists, epidemiologists, infectious diseases and public health clinicians and to concern governments around the world.
Ebola emerged in West Africa and presented occasionally in parts of the world where hitherto the disease has been viewed only through the lens of Hollywood. It has caused fear across the globe. MERS is now making an impact in the Republic of Korea.

This Lecture will reflect on the impact and the lessons of these public health threats from the perspective of a CMO. The importance of functioning public health systems of infection prevention and control, of One Health, of international engagement, conventions, structures and support, of clinical and scientific collaboration and of the many assets we have in Australia will be stressed.