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Arbovirus Transmission in Australia from 2002 to 2017
by
, , and
Elvina Viennet
1,2,*,
Francesca D. Frentiu
2,
Emilie McKenna
1,2,
Flavia Torres Vasconcelos
1,3,
Robert L. P. Flower
1,2 and
Helen M. Faddy
1,3 1
Research and Development, Strategy and Growth, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
2
School of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
3
School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Petrie, QLD 4052, Australia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Biology 2024, 13(7), 524; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13070524
Submission received: 7 June 2024
/
Revised: 10 July 2024
/
Accepted: 12 July 2024
/
Published: 15 July 2024
(This article belongs to the Section Infection Biology)
Simple Summary
Arboviruses, such as Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus, and dengue virus, have the potential to pose a public health threat in Australia. Certain arboviruses pose significant concerns due to their potential impact on the safety and supply of blood transfusion products, necessitating a greater in-depth understanding of spatiotemporal patterns. This study analyzed the spatiotemporal distribution of eight arboviruses of public health significance in Australia from 2002 to 2017, using Geographic Information System mapping and space–time scan statistics. Key weather variables, including rainfall, temperature, and humidity, were found to influence arbovirus incidence rates and blood donation counts. The findings highlight regions at risk and offer insights for improving public health interventions.
Abstract
Arboviruses pose a significant global public health threat, with Ross River virus (RRV), Barmah Forest virus (BFV), and dengue virus (DENV) being among the most common and clinically significant in Australia. Some arboviruses, including those prevalent in Australia, have been reported to cause transfusion-transmitted infections. This study examined the spatiotemporal variation of these arboviruses and their potential impact on blood donation numbers across Australia. Using data from the Australian Department of Health on eight arboviruses from 2002 to 2017, we retrospectively assessed the distribution and clustering of incidence rates in space and time using Geographic Information System mapping and space–time scan statistics. Regression models were used to investigate how weather variables, their lag months, space, and time affect case and blood donation counts. The predictors’ importance varied with the spatial scale of analysis. Key predictors were average rainfall, minimum temperature, daily temperature variation, and relative humidity. Blood donation number was significantly associated with the incidence rate of all viruses and its interaction with local transmission of DENV, overall. This study, the first to cover eight clinically relevant arboviruses at a fine geographical level in Australia, identifies regions at risk for transmission and provides valuable insights for public health intervention.
Keywords:
arbovirus; weather patterns; blood donation; cluster analysis; Australia
