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Event Description

An overview of research to develop and test local models for predicting Ross River virus disease in NSW.

Abstract

Ross River virus (RRv) is Australia’s most common, endemic mosquito-borne disease. RRv transmission is influenced by various factors including mosquito abundance, reservoir host populations, climatic, environmental, socio-economic factors and human behaviour. Since 1974, NSW Health has operated a state-wide Arbovirus Surveillance and Mosquito Monitoring program (ASMMP) to monitor RRv and other arboviruses with the potential to cause human disease. Signals from the ASMMP such as evidence of virus circulating in vector mosquitoes may trigger NSW Health to issue targeted warnings to the community. NSW Health’s early warning system could be improved by using predictive models that combine entomological, climate, tidal and other relevant data to identify environmental circumstances that correlate with future RRv outbreaks or increased incidence of RRv notifications in specific regions of NSW. The aim of this MPhil is to develop and test local models for predicting Ross River virus disease in NSW to support NSW Health authorities to routinely forecast RRv transmission in NSW.  

Speaker Bio

Suhasini is an MPhil candidate with the National Centre of Epidemiology and Population Health. She holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Sydney and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California - Berkeley in International Political Economy. Suhasini is currently a Senior Policy Analyst in Environmental Health Branch in NSW Health. Prior to this she was a public health officer trainee at NSW Health working on areas including communicable diseases and environmental health, and she supported the COVID-19 response as part of NSW Health’s Surveillance and Epidemiology team. Suhasini has also previously worked on programs and policy related to aged care, mental health and family safety within the not-for-profit and government sectors.