Australians are being urged to take extra precautions against mosquito bites this summer, with new research linking warmer temperatures to an increased risk of Ross River virus outbreaks, particularly in coastal and riverland regions.
A national scoping review led by the University of Adelaide, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, analysed 30 studies examining the relationship between temperature and mosquito-borne disease across Australia. The research found higher temperatures consistently increased the risk of Ross River virus, although patterns varied by region.
Ross River virus is one of the country’s most common mosquito-borne diseases, with about 3,000 cases reported each year. Symptoms include rash, fever and joint pain, which can persist for months in some cases. The virus can be carried by more than 40 mosquito species and transmitted via animal hosts such as kangaroos and wallabies.
Lead author Christina Mary Varghese said studies showed maximum temperatures were linked to higher case numbers in coastal Queensland, northern New South Wales, parts of Western Australia and Tasmania, while minimum temperatures appeared to increase risk in Darwin and some inland regions of South Australia, Victoria and Queensland.
“Cases are more likely when temperatures sit between 17 and 31 degrees, with infections peaking around 26 degrees,” she said, noting rainfall, humidity and stagnant water also played a role.
The review also identified major research gaps, particularly in inland Australia and in understanding how climate change could influence future outbreaks and healthcare costs.
Public health experts say the findings underline the need for vigilance over summer, especially during holidays spent camping, fishing and swimming outdoors. Wearing long, light-coloured clothing and using insect repellent remain the most effective ways to reduce the risk of infection.
