Hepatitis B virus infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Indigenous people in northern Australia. We have recently completed several small studies investigating the epidemiology of HBV and a plan is in place to follow these up with a comprehensive NT-wide description beginning in 2012. We are currently also undertaking the first ever study of genetic fingerprinting of HBV viruses isolated from people in the NT. This will help us understand more about the natural history of HBV infection, how the virus is transmitted and how best to treat it. 

Staff: Josh Davis
Students: Jane Davies
Collaborators: Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory