Neglected Australian Arboviruses and Undifferentiated Febrile Illness: Addressing Public Health Challenges Arising From the ‘Developing Northern Australia’ Government Policy

Abstract

The Australian Government is currently promoting the development of Northern Australia, with an associated increase in the local population. Consequent to this is the public health threat posed by heightened human exposure to many previously neglected arboviruses that are indigenous to the region. This initiative to support economic activity in the tropical north of the continent is leading to the accelerated expansion of an infection-naïve human population into hitherto un-encountered ecosystems inhabited by reservoir animals and vectors for these arboviruses. Combined with an apparent rise in the number and impact of dramatic climate events, such as tropical cyclones and floods caused by torrential monsoonal rainfall, this heightens the potential for viral transmission to humans. More than 75 arboviruses have been identified in Australia, some of which are associated with human disease but for which routine tests are not available to diagnose infection. Here, we describe briefly the neglected Australian arboviruses that are most likely to emerge as significant agents of human disease in the coming decades. We also advocate the establishment of a thorough surveillance and diagnostic protocol, including developing new pan-viral rapid tests for primary care use to assist in the early diagnosis and correct treatment of affected patients. We propose that the implementation of these activities will enhance our understanding of the geographical range, prevalence, identification and control of neglected Australian arboviruses. This would minimise and limit the possibility of large-scale outbreaks with these agents as population and economic growth expands further into Australia’s tropical north.

Islands as Hotspots for Emerging Mosquito-Borne Viruses: A One-Health Perspective

“…Sentinel countries where surveillance should be enhanced are Madagascar and East Africa for the Indian Ocean, and Malaysia and Australia for the Pacific region. For example, in Australia at least 75 arboviruses have been identified, of which several are associated with disease in humans (such Alfuy, Edge Hill, Gan Gan, Kokobera, Sindbis and Stratford viruses), yet not all of them are routinely tested [152]. For the Caribbean region, special attention should be focused on the Brazilian Amazon, where a total of 187 different species of arboviruses were identified between 1954–1998 by the enormous efforts of the Evandro Chagas Institute, and for which very little is known yet [153].…”

A micro-PRNT for the detection of Ross River virus antibodies in mosquito blood meals: A useful tool for inferring transmission pathways

“…Human health can be affected by infectious diseases of wildlife living close to human habitation. The risks are increasingly common in Australia and elsewhere because of increasing encroachment of the human population on diverse mosquito habitats and the adaptation of pathogen reservoir species to urbanized environments [35,36]. Dengue, Hantavirus, Lyme disease, Zika, avian influenza, and rabies are examples of globally endemic zoonoses that have emerged from human encroachment into rural or sylvatic habitats [37,38].…”

A micro-PRNT for the detection of Ross River virus antibodies in mosquito blood meals: a useful tool for inferring transmission pathways

“…Human health can be affected by infectious diseases of wildlife living close to human habitation. The risks are increasingly common in Australia and elsewhere because increasing encroachment of the human population on diverse mosquito habitats and the potential adaptation of reservoir species to urbanized environments [34, 35]. Dengue, Hantavirus, Lyme disease, Zika, avian influenza, and rabies are examples of globally endemic zoonoses that have emerged from human encroachment into rural or sylvatic habitats [36, 37].…”