Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Maxwell Braddick, Helen M. O'Brien, Chuan K. Lim, Rebecca Feldman, Cathy Bunter, Peter Neville, Christopher R. Bailie, Grace Butel-Simoes, Min-Ho Jung, Aidan Yuen, Nicole Hughes, N. Deborah Friedman
Summary: This study describes the public health response to Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) in Victoria, Australia, from 2022 to 2023. The researchers utilized vector surveillance and laboratory testing to detect MVEV early and implemented integrated mosquito management and active health promotion measures.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Virology
Veronica C. Hoad, Philip Kiely, Clive R. Seed, Elvina Viennet, Iain B. Gosbell
Summary: The article discusses a widespread outbreak of Japanese encephalitis virus in mainland Australia in 2022 and evaluates the associated blood safety risk. Despite public health measures and risk assessment, it is concluded that the risk is tolerable without specific mitigation measures.
Article
Virology
Xiaoshu Zhang, Na Jin, Aixia Tu, Maoxing Dong, Tianshan Shi, Xiaowei Ren, Shuyu Liu, Xiaohong Zhao, Jianfeng Liu, Zhao Wu, Yixing Li, Dan Wu, Huanyu Wang, Haijun Wang, Yukun Hu, Bin Zhang, Wenjun Wang, Lei Meng
Summary: Mainland China included Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine in the national immunization program in 2008 to control the JE epidemic. However, Gansu province in Western China experienced the largest JE outbreak since 1958 in 2018. We conducted a retrospective epidemiological study and found that adults aged >= 20 years, especially those in rural areas, were the main JE cases in Gansu Province. Additionally, JE outbreaks in Gansu Province mainly occurred in the southeastern region, and recent changes in temperature and precipitation contributed to the spread of the epidemic areas.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Annaleise R. Howard-Jones, David Pham, Neisha Jeoffreys, John-Sebastian Eden, Linda Hueston, Alison M. Kesson, Vanathi Nagendra, Harsha Samarasekara, Peter Newton, Sharon C-A Chen, Matthew O'Sullivan, Susan Maddocks, Dominic E. Dwyer, Jen Kok
Summary: A new outbreak of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) occurred in New South Wales, Australia from March to May 2022, requiring the development of a strong diagnostic framework for testing suspected patients. A total of 1,061 samples were received for JEV testing, and 12 confirmed cases of Japanese encephalitis (JE) were identified. The incidence of JE during this period was 0.15/100,000 persons in New South Wales, suggesting a higher population-wide prevalence of JEV infection. Close collaboration with laboratories and clinicians played a crucial role in establishing successful JEV case ascertainment for this outbreak.
Review
Immunology
Weijia Zhang, Qikai Yin, Huanyu Wang, Guodong Liang
Summary: The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) has five genotypes, with genotypes 1 and 3 historically being more active. Genotypes 4 and 5 have remained silent in low-latitude tropical regions. However, in recent years, genotype 5 emerged in mosquitoes from Tibet and South Korea, leading to cases of viral encephalitis. Similarly, genotype 4 emerged in Australia, causing a local outbreak. These new genotypes present challenges for the prevention and control of Japanese encephalitis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Faith A. A. Kwa, Evie Kendal, Junhua Xiao
Summary: Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a vector-borne disease caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), predominantly found in Southeast Asia and leading to long-term neurological and psychiatric sequelae in both adults and children. Despite vaccination efforts, JEV infection remains a global problem, with recent outbreaks outside of Asia. Thus, collaborative research and a globally unified disease control strategy are urgently needed to improve JEV transmission and surveillance and better prepare for future outbreaks.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Craig Westell, Amy Roberts, Daniel McCullough
Summary: This article describes a rare archaeological site of Aboriginal water management in a Murray River floodplain upstream of Renmark and provides contextualization. The likely function of the site is proposed through historical accounts, archaeological descriptions, and hydrological modeling. The site represents one of the few remaining physical examples of Aboriginal water management in the Riverland and greater Murray-Darling Basin, indicating that Aboriginal people manipulated natural water connectivity through the construction of an artificial channel, possibly for fish trapping or weir structures.
MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Alex Dunne, Yuriy Kuleshov
Summary: A drought risk assessment was conducted for the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB), an agricultural region in Australia. Region- and agricultural sector-specific indicators were used to calculate the drought risk index. ArcGIS was used to prepare thematic layers of the drought risk index and its components. A case study for the 2019 drought was investigated, and monthly drought risk index maps were produced.
Article
Microbiology
Anuva Fellner, Samuel White, Emmanuel Rockwell, Dana Giandomenico, Monica M. Diaz, David J. Weber, Melissa B. Miller, Ross M. Boyce
Summary: Historically, the underlying cause of encephalitis was often unidentified, but recent advances in diagnostic techniques have led to improved identification and management. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology and care practices for encephalitis patients at a large academic hospital. The findings showed that despite advancements in diagnostics, a significant number of patients did not undergo a lumbar puncture and pathogen-specific testing was underutilized, indicating room for improvement in the accuracy and timeliness of diagnosis.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
R. Quentin Grafton, Long Chu, Richard T. Kingsford, Gilad Bino, John Williams
Summary: This study investigates the declining streamflows in the northern Murray-Darling Basin in Australia, and reveals the impacts of both meteorological and anthropogenic factors on the decrease in streamflow, resulting in the reduction of waterbird abundance and ecosystem resilience. The four-step framework developed in this study can be applied to any catchment with sufficient time-series data and helps in adapting to hydrological droughts.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY A-MATHEMATICAL PHYSICAL AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Stefanos Charpantidis, Maria Siopi, Georgios Pappas, Kalliopi Theodoridou, Constantinos Tsiamis, George Samonis, Stella-Eugenia Chryssou, Stamatios Gregoriou, Dimitrios Rigopoulos, Athanasios Tsakris, Georgia Vrioni
Summary: Mass population movements have significantly impacted the epidemiology of tinea capitis, particularly in countries receiving refugees. An unprecedented immigration wave in Greece since 2015 has led to an increase in tinea capitis cases, with a shift towards anthropophilic Trichophyton species. Periodic monitoring of pathogen profiles is crucial for appropriate treatment and prevention strategies.
Article
Immunology
Adam T. Ladzinski, Aisha Tai, Matthew T. Rumschlag, Christopher S. Smith, Aditya Mehta, Pimpawan Boapimp, Eric J. Edewaard, Richard W. Douce, Larry F. Morgan, Michael S. Wang, Amanda O. Fisher-Hubbard, Matthew J. Cummings, Brett W. Jagger
Summary: Eastern equine encephalitis virus is a mosquito-borne virus that causes severe neurological disease in animals and humans. The mortality rate of encephalitic disease caused by this virus is over 30%. In 2019, there was a significant increase in the number of cases in the United States, including 10 in Michigan. Limited diagnostic methods and lack of effective treatments pose significant challenges in managing this condition.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Sara Palomo-Hierro, Adam Loch, C. Dionisio Perez-Blanco
Summary: This paper compares water market governance data from Spain and Australia to provide a framework for analysis. The study finds that Spain's current water governance system provides a solid platform for market reform, addressing some key adaptive capacity constraints.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ian P. Prosser, Francis H. S. Chiew, Mark Stafford Smith
Summary: The study focuses on water management policy in the Murray-Darling Basin in Australia, evaluating the operation of the policy through a synthesis of research data and literature. Limitations and inequities that could arise in the context of climate change are identified, and solutions proposed to be implemented during the formal review in the future.
Article
Immunology
Laith Yakob, Wenbiao Hu, Francesca D. Frentiu, Narayan Gyawali, Leon E. Hugo, Brian Johnson, Colleen Lau, Luis Furuya-Kanamori, Ricardo Soares Magalhaes, Gregor Devine
Summary: An outbreak of Japanese encephalitis virus in Southern Australia has caused concern as it has spread to multiple states, resulting in 30 confirmed cases and 6 deaths. The article discusses the drivers behind the outbreak and estimates the potential size of the at-risk population.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sera Ngeh, Florian Vogt, Chisha T. Sikazwe, Avram Levy, Nevada M. Pingault, David W. Smith, Paul Effler
Summary: This study identified substantial in-flight transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among passengers seated within and beyond two rows of primary cases. Factors such as seating proximity to primary cases and spending more than an hour in the arrival airport were independent predictors of secondary infection.
JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
John-Sebastian Eden, Chisha Sikazwe, Ruopeng Xie, Yi-Mo Deng, Sheena G. Sullivan, Alice Michie, Avram Levy, Elena Cutmore, Christopher C. Blyth, Philip N. Britton, Nigel Crawford, Xiaomin Dong, Dominic E. Dwyer, Kimberly M. Edwards, Bethany A. Horsburgh, David Foley, Karina Kennedy, Cara Minney-Smith, David Speers, Rachel L. Tulloch, Edward C. Holmes, Vijaykrishna Dhanasekaran, David W. Smith, Jen Kok, Ian G. Barr
Summary: Non-pharmaceutical interventions and travel restrictions for COVID-19 have impacted the circulation of respiratory viruses, including RSV. This study reports the resurgence of RSV in Australia following the lifting of some restrictions, and describes a reduction in genetic diversity in circulating RSV clades.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Danielle M. Cribb, Liana Varrone, Rhiannon L. Wallace, Angus T. McLure, James J. Smith, Russell J. Stafford, Dieter M. Bulach, Linda A. Selvey, Simon M. Firestone, Nigel P. French, Mary Valcanis, Emily J. Fearnley, Timothy S. Sloan-Gardner, Trudy Graham, Kathryn Glass, Martyn D. Kirk
Summary: The main risk factor for campylobacteriosis in Australia is the consumption of chicken meat. Contact with young pet dogs and the use of proton-pump inhibitors are also likely to increase vulnerability to infection. Risk factors differ for Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli infections, with eating chicken pate and delicatessen meats being specific risks for C. coli infection.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sewunet Admasu Belachew, Lisa Hall, Linda A. Selvey
Summary: Non-prescription dispensing of antibiotics is common in community drug retail outlets (CDROs) in non-urban towns in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, despite prescription-only regulations.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Virology
David Anthony Foley, Chisha T. Sikazwe, Cara A. Minney-Smith, Timo Ernst, Hannah C. Moore, Mark P. Nicol, David W. Smith, Avram Levy, Christopher C. Blyth
Summary: Non-pharmaceutical interventions disrupted the seasonality of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) transmission, with an unusual resurgence observed in Western Australia in 2020. The incidence of hMPV in 2021 increased by 3-fold compared to previous years, with a greater than 4-fold increase in cases among children aged 1-4 years.
Review
Virology
John S. Mackenzie, David T. Williams, Andrew F. van den Hurk, David W. Smith, Bart J. Currie
Summary: In early 2021, a fatal case of Japanese encephalitis occurred in northern Australia. It was the first locally acquired case of Japanese encephalitis virus genotype IV (GIV) outside Indonesia. In 2022, a widespread outbreak of GIV JEV strain was detected in eastern Australia, with fetal death and abnormalities in commercial piggeries. This outbreak is the first major outbreak of Japanese encephalitis virus in mainland Australia and the largest recorded outbreak for JEV.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Chisha Sikazwe, Matthew J. Neave, Alice Michie, Patrick Mileto, Jianning Wang, Natalie Cooper, Avram Levy, Allison Imrie, Robert W. Baird, Bart J. Currie, David Speers, John S. Mackenzie, David W. Smith, David T. Williams
Summary: This study reports the first detection of GIV Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in Australia, with a close phylogenetic relationship to the virus strains in Indonesia. The virus responsible for the fatal case in the Tiwi Islands is a divergent member of genotype IV (GIV) and shares high nucleotide identity with the 2022 Australian outbreak virus. The origin of this GIV lineage is estimated to have circulated in the region for several years prior to the Tiwi Islands case.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Qin Li, Saeed Miramini, David W. Smith, Bruce S. Gardiner, Lihai Zhang
Summary: This study aims to develop a numerical model to investigate the effects of osteochondral junction leakage on cartilage lubrication. The results show that the permeability of the junction has a significant impact on cartilage lubrication, especially in the early stage of the disease. Increased leakage leads to a decrease in lubrication duration, shorter consolidation time, and an increase in the initial friction coefficient. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the development mechanism of cartilage disorders.
COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Cara A. Minney-Smith, David A. Foley, Chisha T. Sikazwe, Avram Levy, David W. Smith
Summary: The seasonality of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Western Australia (WA) is influenced by local climate. Before the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, RSV seasons in the Metropolitan and Southern regions of WA were consistent in timing and intensity, while the Northern region did not experience a distinct seasonality.
INFLUENZA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kara Lilly, Bridie Kean, Jonathan Hallett, Suzanne Robinson, Linda A. Selvey
Summary: This review aimed to identify factors in the policymaking environment that influence a Health in all Policies approach in local government. Sixteen factors of the policy process were identified, expanding on previous literature. However, few studies reported findings based on different local government contexts, limiting our understanding of how these factors vary across settings.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Mohamad Assoum, Colleen L. Lau, Phong K. Thai, Warish Ahmed, Jochen F. Mueller, Kevin V. Thomas, Phil Min Choi, Greg Jackson, Linda A. Selvey
Summary: In Queensland, Australia, wastewater surveillance has been used to provide early warning of COVID-19 outbreaks and effectively control local transmission clusters. This method has proven to be valuable in low transmission settings.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
J. M. Basseal, C. M. Bennett, P. Collignon, B. J. Currie, D. N. Durrheim, J. Leask, E. S. McBryde, P. McIntyre, F. M. Russell, D. W. Smith, T. C. Sorrell, B. J. Marais
Summary: Australia avoided the worst effects of COVID-19 pandemic, but still faced negative impacts. Lessons from Australia's public health response include the effectiveness of movement restrictions with careful consideration of adverse impacts, the value of disease modeling while acknowledging its limitations, the need for timely national data for reassessment of surveillance structures, the utility of advanced pathogen genomics and novel vaccine technology, the importance of evidence-informed and consultative decisionmaking, addressing major weaknesses in the aged-care sector, adequate infection prevention and control frameworks, prioritizing the interests of young people, recognizing epidemics as a standing threat, and fostering regional and global solidarity.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Samuel Brookfield, Linda Selvey, Lisa Fitzgerald, Lisa Maher
Summary: This paper introduces an alternative framework called "Extended Recovery" based on posthumanism and extended health to resolve the confusion in defining addiction and recovery. Through ethnographic fieldwork, the interactive ecology of various factors such as families, social networks, economic circumstances, legal proceedings, health and support services, and social capital in drug use and recovery are explored. The paper provides four recommendations for policymakers and treatment services to align with this framework.
SSM-QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Florian Vogt, Bridget Haire, Linda Selvey, Anthea L. Katelaris, John Kaldor
Summary: The digital proximity tracing app COVIDSafe in Australia had low uptake and detected fewer contacts during the study period, showing limited effectiveness in contributing to the COVID-19 response. Its performance was hindered by low usage rates, questioning the potential benefits of digital contact tracing apps for public health response to the pandemic.
LANCET PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Family Studies
Kahlia McCausland, Roanna Lobo, Mattea Lazarou, Jonathan Hallett, Julie Bates, Basil Donovan, Linda A. Selvey
Summary: This article examines how the legislation in Western Australia contributes to the stigma and discrimination faced by sex workers. The findings suggest that the criminalization of sex work leads to concealment of their involvement by sex workers, limiting their access to healthcare and protective services and negatively impacting their mental health. The article highlights the need for policy change and training programs for police and healthcare workers to reduce stigma and discrimination.
CULTURE HEALTH & SEXUALITY
(2022)