Infectious diseases

Vector-borne and other infectious diseases

Overview

Inevitably climate change will alter the incidence of infectious diseases. Much interest has focused on vector-borne diseases (those transmitted by mosquitoes and other arthropods) because of the association between climatic variables and vector distribution, though the direction and magnitude of impact remains disputed. Clearly, however, climate change has physiological and other impacts on human hosts, pathogens, and the environment. Therefore the incidence of many infectious diseases, including food and water-borne diseases, zoonoses (infectious diseases transmitted to people from non-human vertebrates) and respiratory infections are likely to be impacted by climate change. In order to adapt to new diseases and changed incidence and distribution of established infections Australia must determine, by projecting likely changes, strategies for adaptation to new patterns of infectious disease under climate change.

Research and activities

The group is currently drafting discussion and scientific papers on adaptation to infectious diseases under climate change.

Node Leader

Associate Professor David Harley

The Australian National University