What’s happening?
Residents in the Redlands are being urged to take extra care against mosquito bites this summer, following new research linking warmer temperatures to a higher risk of Ross River Virus outbreaks.
The research was published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. The scoping review was led by the University of Adelaide and analysed studies from across Australia.
Researchers found rising temperatures increase the likelihood of Ross River Virus transmission, particularly in coastal and riverland regions, including Redland.
Why it matters?
Ross River Virus is one of Australia’s most common mosquito-borne diseases and can have ongoing effects on daily life.
The virus can cause rash, fever, and joint pain. While most people recover within weeks, joint pain can persist in some cases and affect quality of life.
Predicting outbreaks remains difficult, with multiple environmental factors involved, including temperature, rainfall, humidity, and stagnant water. Summer holidays increase exposure risk as more people spend time outdoors.
Local impact
The Redlands was identified as one of several Queensland areas where higher maximum temperatures are linked to increased Ross River Virus cases.
Other Queensland regions highlighted in the study include Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Gladstone, Bundaberg, and the Darling Downs.
Outside Queensland, increased risks were noted in North-East New South Wales, the Sorell region in Tasmania, Mandurah in Western Australia, Darwin, and inland parts of South Australia and Victoria.
Researchers also found that most existing studies focus on coastal areas, with limited data available for smaller towns and inland regions.
By the numbers
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Around 3,000 Ross River Virus cases are reported in Australia each year, making it one of the country’s most common mosquito-borne diseases.
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Researchers reviewed 30 Australian studies examining the link between temperature and Ross River Virus risk.
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Infection risk increases when temperatures range between 17 and 31 degrees, with cases spiking when temperatures are around 26 degrees.
Zoom in
“Studies found that maximum temperatures are linked to higher Ross River Virus cases in coastal Australia, particularly in Queensland, including Redland,” said lead author Christina Mary Varghese from the School of Public Health at the University of Adelaide.
“Some studies found that minimum temperature appeared to increase the risk of the Ross River Virus infections in Darwin and in some inland regions of SA, Victoria and Queensland,” she said.
“It is very hard to predict Ross River Virus outbreaks, with a complex range of factors contributing to increased risk, including rainfall, humidity, and stagnant water conditions,” Ms Varghese said.
“But we know that cases are more likely when temperatures are between 17 and 31 degrees, with infections spiking when temperatures are around 26 degrees. That’s why it’s important for Australians to protect themselves from mozzie bites over the Christmas and New Year period.”
The study also reviewed evidence on Barmah Forest Virus and found infection risk was linked to minimum temperatures in both coastal and inland areas.
“One of our biggest findings was that studies of Ross River Virus and Barmah Forest Virus have mostly centred on the coast. There is very little data on smaller towns and few related to Ross River Virus in Queensland,” Ms Varghese said.
Zoom out
Senior author Professor Peng Bi from the University of Adelaide said the research exposed major gaps in understanding how climate change may affect future disease risk.
“There has been no Australian based study assessing associated healthcare costs, nor projecting future disease burden under different climate change scenarios,” Professor Bi said.
“We need to better understand how our changing climate is going to influence risk in different regions.”
“We also need to fill the big gaps in research across inland Australia – so we can track how things change over time,” he said.
Public Health Association of Australia CEO Terry Slevin said warming conditions could expose new areas to mosquito-borne diseases.
“As the Australian weather warms due to climate change, we are likely to see different parts of Australia exposed to mosquito carried diseases like Ross River Fever and Barmah Forest Virus,” Mr Slevin said.
“Australia’s Centre for Disease Control will be monitoring these issues and is already providing advice on mosquito bite prevention.”
What to look for next?
Australia’s Centre for Disease Control is due to officially launch in January and will monitor mosquito-borne disease risks across regions, including coastal communities like Redland.
Researchers are calling for more studies into inland infection trends, healthcare costs, and the impact of climate change on future outbreaks.
Christina M Varghese is supported by The Hospital Research Foundation Group Public Health scholarship.
The Australian Centre for Disease Control is already providing advice on mosquito bite prevention, including wearing light coloured clothing, using mosquito nets, and applying repellent to exposed skin.
