| Climate Variability, Social and Environmental Factors, and Ross River Virus Transmission: Research Development and Future Research Needs Shilu Tong,1 Pat Dale,2 Neville Nicholls,3 John S. Mackenzie,4 Rodney Wolff,5 and Anthony J. McMichael6 1School of Public Health and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia; 2Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia; 3School of Geography and Environmental Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; 4Australian Biosecurity CRC, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia; 5School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Gardens Point, Australia; 6National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia Abstract
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. Key words: climate variability, early warning system, Ross River virus transmission, social and environmental factors. Environ Health Perspect 116:1591–1597 (2008) . doi:10.1289/ehp.11680 available via http://dx.doi.org/ [Online 24 July 2008]
Address correspondence to S. Tong, School of Public Health and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Qld. 4059, Australia. Telephone: 61 7 3138 9745. Fax: 61 7 3138 3369. E-mail: s.tong@qut.edu.au This study was partly funded by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) project grant 242210.S. Tong was supported by NHMRC Research Fellowship 290515. The authors declare they have no competing financial interests. Received 8 May 2008 ; accepted 23 July 2008.
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