Associate Professor Martyn Kirk
Areas of expertise
- Epidemiology 111706
- Health Information Systems (Incl. Surveillance) 111711
- Aged Health Care 111702
- Infectious Diseases 110309
Research interests
My research interests focus on the epidemiology of diseases that may be transmitted by contaminated food or water. I am also interested in diseases that are environmentally mediated. In previous research, I have estimated the burden of foodborne disease in Australia and globally. I have also examined risk factors for a range of enteric infections, such as salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, listeriosis and Shiga Toxin producing E. coli. I have investigated a wide range of disease outbreaks, including those caused by infectious agents, such as Legionnaires' disease, cholera, trematode infections, salmonellosis, shigellosis, and Campylobacter infections, and intoxications due to environmental contaminants, such as bromine, copper and cyanobacterial compounds. This has lead to research into management of outbreaks of human disease and the use of whole genome sequencing for public health investigation. My PhD research was on the incidence of gastroenteritis and foodborne diseases in elderly people. I am interested in research that improves surveillance of infectious diseases and the response of government agencies to outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Biography
I am currently an Associate Professor and Convenor of the Master of Philosophy in Applied Epidemiology (MAE) program offered by the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health in the Research School of Population Health at the Australian National University. The MAE is the Australian Field Epidemiology Training Program. I have worked for over twenty years in State and Territory, and federal health departments in the areas of food, water and infectious diseases. In 2000, I was appointed as the Coordinating Epidemiologist of OzFoodNet to establish a national network for the investigation of foodborne diseases. I am an alumni of the MAE Program, which I completed in 1997. I have consulted for the World Health Organization on gastrointestinal diseases and am a member of the WHO advisory body - the Foodborne Disease Epidemiology Reference Group. I am a member of the Communicable Diseases Network Australia and an adjunct lecturer at the Monash University Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine. I hold research grants with the National Health & Medical Research Council, the Australian Research Council, and governments within Australia.
Senior Lecturer & Convener MPhil (App Epid) - Medical School & National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University (May 2011-2013)
Senior Epidemiologist - OzFoodNet, Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing (Part-time, 2008 - 2011)
National Health & Medical Research Council Public Health Scholar - The Australian National University (Full-time, 2008 - 2011)
Coordinating Epidemiologist - OzFoodNet, Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing (2003 - 2008) & Food Standards Australia New Zealand (2000 - 2003)
Infectious Disease Epidemiologist: Department of Human Services Victoria (1999–2000)
Environmental Epidemiologist: Department of Human Services Victoria (1997–1999)
Epidemiology Registrar: Australian Field Epidemiology Training Program, South Australian Health Commission (1995–1997)
Water Scientist: Department of Human Services Victoria (1989–1995)
Researcher's projects
Estimating the burden of foodborne disease: Foodborne disease is a major cause of burden in Australia and globally. I conduct collaborative research to estimate the burden in terms of incidence, morbidity, mortality, cost and disability. I currently have research projects examining various aspects of the human health and societal impact of foodborne disease. These studies are being conducted in collaboration with colleagues in the ANU, government agencies and other universities internationally.
Using whole genome sequencing to understand foodborne disease: Whole genome sequencing is revolutionalising microbiology, including characterisation of human pathogens. I am conducting research with public health laboratories in Australia and in Europe to identify how to better use these tools to identify and track foodborne disease outbreaks occuring internationally.
Source attribution of enteric pathogens: I conduct research into methods of assessing the sources of enteric infections, such as salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis. This can be through analysis of reports of outbreaks of human disease, molecular typing of pathogens, or mathematical modelling.
The ACT Asbestos Health Study: In the 1960's and 70's, approximately 1100 houses in the Australian Capital Territory were insulated with loose fill amosite asbestos. In 2015, the ACT Government contracted the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health to conduct a study examining (1) the descriptive epidemiology of mesothelioma in the ACT, (2) focus groups of people living in these houses, (3) a cross sectional survey, and (4) a study examining the risks of developing mesothelioma from livining in an affected house.
Current student projects
Meru Sheel (MAE Scholar)
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Brigitta Osterberger (MAE Scholar)
- Australian Government Department of Health
Alex Marmor (MAE Scholar)
- Australian Government Department of Health
Johanna Dups (MAE Scholar)
- Health Department WA
- Pathwest Laboratory
Amy Burroughs (MAE Scholar)
- Australian Government Department of Health
Tanyth deGooyer (MAE Scholar)
- Victorian Department of Health
Wimalin Rimpekool (PhD Scholar)
- Understanding the impact on Thai consumers of nutrition labelling of food
Yingxi Chen (PhD Scholar)
- The epidemiology of gastroenteritis in a cohort of older Australians
Cameron Moffatt (PhD Scholar)
- The outcome of serious Campylobacter infection in Australia
Laura Ford (PhD Scholar)
- The epidemiology of Salmonella infection in Australia
Neil Franklin (PhD Scholar)
- Foodborne disease in New South Wales
Past student projects
Lucas Mills (MPhil App Epid, 2014-5)
Zoe Cutcher (MPhil App Epid, 2014-5)
Jason Agostino (MPhil App Epid, 2014-5)
Courtney Lane (MPhil App Epid, 2013-4)
Anna-Jane Glynn-Robinson (MPhil App Epid, 2013-4)
Anita Williams (MPhil App Epidl, 2013-4)
Alexis Pillsbury (MPhil App Epid, 2012-3)
Ee Laine Tay (MPhil App Epid, 2012-3)
Yingxi Chen (MPH(Research), 2013)
Katie Thurber (MPhil, 2011-2012)
Kate Astridge (MAppEpid, 2010-2011)
Polly Wallace (MAppEpid, 2009-2010)
Beverley Patterson (MAppEpid, 2007-2009)
Christopher Oxenford (MAppEpid, 2004-2006)
Nola Tomaska (MAppEpid, 2001-2003)
Publications
- Chen, Y, Ford, L, Hall, G et al 2016, 'Healthcare utilization and lost productivity due to infectious gastroenteritis, results from a national cross-sectional survey Australia 2008-2009', Epidemiology and Infection, vol. 144, no. 2, pp. 241-246.
- Moffatt, C, Musto, J, Pingault, N et al 2016, 'Salmonella Typhimurium and Outbreaks of Egg-Associated Disease in Australia, 2001 to 2011', Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, vol. 13, no. 7, pp. 379-385.
- Vally, H, Glass, K, Ford, L et al 2016, 'Evaluation of a structured expert elicitation estimating the proportion of illness acquired by foodborne transmission for nine enteric pathogens in Australia', Epidemiology and Infection, vol. 144, no. 5, pp. 897-906.
- Lane, C, Sutton, B, Valcanis, M et al 2016, 'Travel Destinations and Sexual Behavior as Indicators of Antibiotic Resistant Shigella Strains - Victoria, Australia', Clinical Infectious Diseases, vol. 62, no. 6, pp. 722-729.
- Hald, T, Aspinall, W, Devleesschauwer, B et al 2016, 'World Health Organization estimates of the relative contributions of food to the burden of disease due to selected foodborne hazards: A structured expert elicitation', PLOS ONE (Public Library of Science), vol. 11, no. 1, pp. -.
- Moffatt, C, Greig, A, Valcanis, M et al 2016, 'A large outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni infection in a university college caused by chicken liver pâté, Australia, 2013', Epidemiology and Infection, vol. -, no. -, pp. 1-8.
- Kirk, M, Davis, S & Viney, K 2016, 'Letter Re: Ebola outbreak in West Africa: considerations for strengthening Australia’s international health emergency response', The Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 205, no. 5, pp. 236-237.
- Yiengprugsawan V, Horta BL, Motta JV, et al. 2016. Body size dynamics in young adults: 8-year follow up of cohorts in Brazil and Thailand. Nutriton & Diabetes. 6(7):e219. doi: 10.1038/nutd.2016.24.
- Devleesschauwer, B, Haagsma, J, Angulo, F et al 2015, 'Methodological framework for World Health Organization estimates of the global burden of foodborne disease', PLOS ONE (Public Library of Science), vol. 10, no. 12, pp. 1-20.
- Vally, H, Glass, K, Ford, L et al 2015, 'Evaluation of a structured expert elicitation estimating the proportion of illness acquired by foodborne transmission for nine enteric pathogens in Australia', Epidemiology and Infection, vol. 144, no. 5, pp. 897-906.
- Crump, J & Kirk, M 2015, 'Estimating the Burden of Febrile Illnesses', PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, vol. 9, no. 12, pp. 1-7.
- Lal, A, Fearnley, E & Kirk, M 2015, 'The risk of reported cryptosporidiosis in children aged , International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 12, no. 9, pp. 11815-11828.
- Kirk, M, Pires, S, Black, R et al 2015, 'World Health Organization Estimates of the Global and Regional Disease Burden of 22 Foodborne Bacterial, Protozoal, and Viral Diseases, 2010: A Data Synthesis', PLoS Medicine, vol. 12, no. 12, pp. 1-21.
- Torgerson, P, Devleesschauwer, B, Praet, N et al 2015, 'World Health Organization Estimates of the Global and Regional Disease Burden of 11 Foodborne Parasitic Diseases, 2010: A Data Synthesis', PLoS Medicine, vol. 12, no. 12, pp. 1-22.
- Thurber, K, Dobbins, T, Kirk, M et al 2015, 'Early life predictors of increased body mass index among indigenous Australian children', PLOS ONE (Public Library of Science), vol. 10, no. 6.
- Ford, L, Miller, M, Cawthorne, A et al 2015, 'Approaches to the surveillance of foodborne disease: A review of the evidence', Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, vol. 12, no. 12, pp. 927-936.
- Pires, S, Fischer-Walker, C, Lanata, C et al 2015, 'Aetiology-specific estimates of the global and regional incidence and mortality of diarrhoeal diseases commonly transmitted through food', PLOS ONE (Public Library of Science), vol. 10, no. 12, pp. -.
- Havelaar, A, Kirk, M, Torgerson, P et al 2015, 'World Health Organization Global Estimates and Regional Comparisons of the Burden of Foodborne Disease in 2010', PLoS Medicine, vol. 12, no. 12, pp. -.
- Chen, Y, Liu, B, Glass, K et al 2015, 'High incidence of hospitalisation due to infectious gastroenteritis in older people associated with poor self-rated health', BMJ Open, vol. 5, pp. 1-7.
- Lal, A, Cornish, L, Fearnley, E et al 2015, 'Cryptosporidiosis: A Disease of Tropical and Remote Areas in Australia', PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, vol. 9, no. 9, pp. -.
- Glass, K, Fearnley, E, Hocking, H et al 2015, 'Bayesian Source Attribution of Salmonellosis in South Australia', Risk Analysis, pp. 1-10.
- Lal, A, Hales, S, Kirk, M et al 2015, 'Spatial and temporal variation in the association between temperature and salmonellosis in NZ', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, pp. 1-5.
- Rimpeekool W, Seubsman S, Banwell C, Kirk M, Yiengprugsawan V, Sleigh AC. 2015. Food and nutrition labelling in Thailand: A long march from subsistence producers to international traders. Food Policy. 56: 59-66.
- Chen, Y, Williams, E & Kirk, M 2014, 'Risk factors for acute respiratory infection in the Australian community', PLOS ONE (Public Library of Science), vol. 9, no. 7, pp. e101440/1-7.
- Glass, K, Ford, L & Kirk, M 2014, 'Drivers of uncertainty in estimates of foodborne gastroenteritis incidence', Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, vol. 11, no. 12, pp. 938-944.
- Vally, H, Glass, K, Ford, L et al 2014, 'Proportion of illness acquired by foodborne transmission for nine enteric pathogens in Australia: An expert elicitation', Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, vol. 11, no. 9, pp. 727-733.
- de Noordhout, C, Devlesschauwer, B, Angulo, F et al 2014, 'The global burden of listeriosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis', The Lancet Infectious Diseases, vol. 14, no. 11, pp. 1073-1082.
- David, R & Kirk, M 2014, 'Rotavirus gastroenteritis hospitalisations following introduction of vaccination, Canberra', Communicable Diseases Intelligence, vol. 38, no. 1.
- Ford, L, Kirk, M, Glass, K et al 2014, 'Sequelae of foodborne Illness caused by 5 pathogens, Australia, Circa 2010', Emerging Infectious Diseases, vol. 20, no. 11, pp. 1865-1871.
- Kirk, M, Ford, L, Glass, K et al 2014, 'Foodborne illness, Australia, Circa 2000 and Circa 2010', Emerging Infectious Diseases, vol. 20, no. 11, pp. 1857-1864.
- Kirk, M, Greogory, J & Brotohusodo, N 2010, 'Surveillance of foodborne disease in Australia and disease associated with dairy products', Australian Journal of Dairy Technology, vol. 65, no. 2, pp. 98-100.
- Kirk, M & Lake, R 2014, 'Foodborne Diseases: Prevalence of Foodborne Diseases in Australia and New Zealand', in Y. Motarjemi, G. Moy, E. Todd (ed.), Encyclopedia of Food Safety, Elsevier Inc., Waltham, MA 02144, pp. Volume 1: 295-301.
- Majowicz, S, Scallan, E, Jones-Bitton, A et al 2014, 'Global Incidence of Human Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Infections and Deaths: A Systematic Review and Knowledge Synthesis', Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, vol. 0, no. 0, pp. 1-9.
- Hall, G, Rothwell, A, Grant, T et al 2014, 'Potential environmental and population health impacts of local urban food systems under climate change: a life cycle analysis case study of lettuce and chicken', Agriculture & Food Security, vol. 3, no. 6, pp. 1-13.
- Kirk, M 2014, 'The importance of enteric infections in Australia', Communicable Diseases Intelligence, vol. 38, no. 1.
- Paterson, B, Kirk, M, Cameron, A et al 2013, 'Historical data and modern methods reveal insights in measles epidemiology: A retrospective closed cohort study', BMJ Open, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 1-10.
- Chen, Y & Kirk, M 2013, 'Incidence of acute respiratory infections in Australia', Epidemiology and Infection, vol. Online (published dates tbc), p. 7.
- Tay, E, Grant, K, Kirk, M et al 2013, 'Exploring a Proposed WHO Method to Determine Thresholds for Seasonal Influenza Surveillance', PLOS ONE (Public Library of Science), vol. 8, no. 10.
- Scallan, E, Kirk, M & Griffin, P 2013, 'Estimates of Disease Burden Associated with Contaminated Food in the United States and Globally', in J. Glenn Morris and Morris E. Potter (ed.), Foodborne Infections and Intoxications, Elsevier Inc., USA, pp. 3-18.
- Kirk, M, Hall, G & Becker, N 2012, 'Gastroenteritis in older people living in the community: Results of two Australian surveys', Epidemiology and Infection, vol. 140, no. 11, pp. 2028-2036.
- Fullerton, K, Scallan, E, Kirk, M et al 2012, 'Case-control studies of sporadic enteric infections: A review and discussion of studies conducted internationally from 1990 to 2009', Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 281-292.
- Kirk, M, Gregory, J, Lalor, K et al 2012, 'Foodborne and waterborne infections in elderly community and long-term care facility residents, Victoria, Australia', Emerging Infectious Diseases, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 377-384.
- McPherson, M, Kirk, M, Raupach, J et al 2011, 'Economic costs of shiga toxin-producing escherichia coli infection in Australia', Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 55-62.
- Kirk, M 2011, 'The German Escherichia coli outbreak-could it happen here?', Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 195, no. 6, pp. 321-326.
- Astridge, K, McPherson, M, Kirk, M et al 2011, 'Foodborne disease outbreaks in Australia 2001-2009', Food Australia, vol. 63, no. 12, pp. 44-50.
- Kirk, M, Lalor, K, Raupach, J et al 2011, 'Food- and Waterborne Disease Outbreaks Australian Long-Term Care Facilities, 2001-2008', Foodborne Pathgens and Disease, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 133-139.
- Wallace, M, Kirk, M, Munnoch, S et al 2010, 'An outbreak of Salmonella Litchfield on a car rally, Northern Territory, 2009', Communicable Diseases Intelligence, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 124-126.
- Dalton, C, Merritt, T, Unicomb, L et al 2010, 'A national case-control study of risk factors for listeriosis in Australia', Epidemiology and Infection, vol. Online in advance of print.
- Majowicz, S, Musto, J, Scallan, E et al 2010, 'The Global Burden of Nontyphoidal Salmonella Gastroenteritis', Clinical Infectious Diseases, vol. 50, no. 6, pp. 882-889.
- Dale, K, Kirk, M, Sinclair, M et al 2010, 'Reported waterborne outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease in Australia are predominantly associated with recreational exposure', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, vol. 34, no. 5, pp. 527-530.
- Kirk, M, Hall, G, Veitch, M et al 2010, 'Assessing the incidence of gastroenteritis among elderly people living in long term care facilities', Journal of Hospital Infection, vol. September 2010, no. 76, pp. 12-17.
- Kirk, M, Moffatt, C, Hall, G et al 2010, 'The Burden of Infectious Gastroenteritis in Elderly Residents and Staff of Long-Term Care Facilities, Australia', Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, vol. 31, no. 8, pp. 860-863.
- Kirk, M, Veitch, M & Hall, G 2010, 'Gastroenteritis and Food-Borne Disease in Elderly People Living in Long-Term Care', Clinical Infectious Diseases, vol. 50, pp. 397-404.
- Kirk, M, Fullerton, K, Hall, G et al 2010, 'Surveillance for Outbreaks of Gastroenteritis in Long-Term Care Facilities, Australia, 2002 to 2008', Clinical Infectious Diseases, vol. 51, no. 8, pp. 907-914.
- Kirk, M 2009, 'OzFoodNet quarterly report, 1 January to 31 March 2009', Communicable Diseases Intelligence, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 232-238.
- Kirk, M 2009, 'OzFoodNet quarterly report, 1 April to 30 June 2009.', Communicable Diseases Intelligence, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 341-347.
- Lewis, H, Ethelberg, S, Olsen, K et al 2009, 'Outbreaks of Shigella sonnei infections in Denmark and Australia linked to consumption of imported raw baby corn', Epidemiology and Infection, vol. 137, no. 3, March 2009, pp. 326-334.
- McPherson, M, Lalor, K, Combs, B et al 2009, 'Serogroup-Specific Risk Factors for Shiga Toxin- Producing Escherichia coli Infection in Australia', Clinical Infectious Diseases, vol. 49, no. 2, pp. 249-256.
- Unicomb, L, Fullerton, K, Kirk, M et al 2009, 'Outbreaks of Campylobacteriosis in Australia, 2001 to 2006', Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, vol. 6, no. 10, pp. 1241-1250.
- Hall, G, McDonald, L, Majowicz, S et al 2009, 'Respiratory symptoms and the case definition of gastroenteritis: an international analysis of the potential impact on burden estimates', Epidemiology and Infection, vol. 4, pp. 1-8.
- Vally, H, Hall, G, Scallan, E et al 2009, 'Higher rate of culture-confirmed Campylobacter infections in Australia than in the USA: is this due to differences in healthcare-seeking behaviour or stool culture frequency?', Epidemiology and Infection, vol. 137, pp. 1751-1758.
- Dalton, C, Merritt, T, Durrheim, D et al 2009, 'A structured framework for improving outbreak investigation audits', BMC Public Health, vol. 9, no. 472, p. 8.
- Kirk, M, Roberts, L, Horvath, J et al 2008, 'Understanding gastroenteritis in elderly residents of aged care facilities', Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 189, no. 9, pp. 476-7.
- Kirk, M, McKay, I, Hall, G et al 2008, 'Foodborne Disease in Australia: The OzFoodNet Experience', Clinical Infectious Diseases, vol. 41, pp. 392-400.
- Hall, G, Yohannes, K, Raupach, J et al 2008, 'Estimating community incidence of Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infections, Australia', Emerging Infectious Diseases, vol. 14, no. 10, pp. 1601-1609.
- Kirk, M, Musto, J, Gregory, J et al 2008, 'Obligations to Report Outbreaks of Foodborne Disease under the International Health Regulations (2005)', Emerging Infectious Diseases, vol. 14, no. 9, pp. 1440-1442.
Projects and Grants
Grants are drawn from ARIES. To add Projects or Grants please contact your College Research Office.
- Understanding the Sources of Campylobacter in Australia (Primary Investigator)
- Integrated systems for epidemic response (ISER) (Secondary Investigator)
- COMPARE: Collaborative management platform for detection and analyses of (Re-) emerging and foodborne outbreaks in Europe (Primary Investigator)
- Identifying and controlling the source of Campylobactor and Salmonella in Australia (Primary Investigator)
- Understanding and preventing gastroenteritis and foodborne illness in elderly Australians (Primary Investigator)
