Climate change and infectious disease: stormy weather ahead?

onstrate a strong association between heavy rainfall and outbreaks of Ross River virus disease. Ross River virus is mosquito borne, and, although the disease is little known outside of Australia, is found in nearly all parts of the continent. Infection can produce disabling polyarthritis, and there is no specific treatment. In southeast Australia, Ross River virus disease poses a threat not just to local populations, but also to tourism—Australia’s largest industry. The work of Woodruff et al. 3 adds to a growing body of studies 4 that explore the impact of weather on infec

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