Better understanding how animal ecology drives more than 75% of new infectious diseases in humans.
Despite being Australia’s most common mosquito-borne disease, the transmission dynamics of Ross River virus remain vague. Ross River virus is a zoonotic mosquito-borne disease, meaning a mosquito generally bites an infected animal before biting a human. Management of this debilitating disease is currently limited to the management of mosquito populations. Although this can help, it does not prevent outbreaks of the disease. As such, this research aims to better understand what drives outbreaks of Ross River virus, in particular, the role non-human species play in the maintenance and spread of the disease. This new information can help guide more effective management strategies for Ross River virus, in turn lowering the number of human infections maintaining a healthier population.
This study is highly significant because:
Join Sparrho today to stay on top of science
Discover, organise and share research that matters to you