Date
Description
BACKGROUND: Arbovirus diseases have emerged as a global public health concern. However, the
impact of climatic, social, and environmental variability on the transmission of arbovirus diseases
remains to be determined.
OBJECTIVE: Our goal for this study was to provide an overview of research development and future
research directions about the interrelationship between climate variability, social and environmental
factors, and the transmission of Ross River virus (RRV), the most common and widespread
arbovirus disease in Australia.
METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search on climatic, social, and environmental factors
and RRV disease. Potentially relevant studies were identified from a series of electronic searches.
RESULTS: The body of evidence revealed that the transmission cycles of RRV disease appear to be
sensitive to climate and tidal variability. Rainfall, temperature, and high tides were among major
determinants of the transmission of RRV disease at the macro level. However, the nature and magnitude
of the interrelationship between climate variability, mosquito density, and the transmission
of RRV disease varied with geographic area and socioenvironmental condition. Projected anthropogenic
global climatic change may result in an increase in RRV infections, and the key determinants
of RRV transmission we have identified here may be useful in the development of an early
warning system.
CONCLUSIONS: The analysis indicates that there is a complex relationship between climate variability,
social and environmental factors, and RRV transmission. Different strategies may be
needed for the control and prevention of RRV disease at different levels. These research findings
could be used as an additional tool to support decision making in disease control/surveillance and
risk management.
GUID
oai:openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au:10440/530
Handle
Identifier
oai:openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au:10440/530
Identifiers
Environmental Health Perspectives 116.12 (2008): 1591-1597
0091-6765
http://hdl.handle.net/10440/530
http://digitalcollections.anu.edu.au/handle/10440/530
10.1289/ehp.11680
https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/10440/530/3/Tong_Climate2008.pdf.jpg
Publication Date
Subject
Titles
Climate variability, social and environmental factors, and Ross River virus transmission: research development and future research needs
Type