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Australia is facing a potential biosecurity attack from a number of viruses which have the potential to seriously damage food supplies, according to a new report released on Wednesday.
The report warns Australia's physical isolation from the rest of the world does not protect if from global pandemics and viruses.
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) study, Australia's Biosecurity Future, stressed the need to guard against any potential threats.
The report identifies 12 biosecurity "megashocks," which have the potential threats, including an outbreak of a new strain of foot and mouth disease, a loss of pollination services as well as the arrival of a new exotic fruit fly.
CSIRO biosecurity flagship science director Gary Fitt said while viruses such as Ebola posed a global health concern, it was often the smaller viruses that could cause more damage to the environment.
"Farmers near Katherine, in the Northern Territory are dealing with an outbreak of a new disease -- Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus and while not fatal to people like Ebola, this virus is devastating their crops which has severe financial impacts," he said in a statement.
Other megashocks include a bluetongue outbreak affecting major sheep producing regions, outbreak of infectious salmon anemia, and a nationwide zoonotic disease epidemic.
Fitt said understanding the biosecurity megatrends will help Australia prepare for any pest or disease which threatened the country.
"The important thing is, this isn't just doom and gloom, it's just we need to be vigilant," he said.
