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EXPLORATORY SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INCIDENCE OF ROSS RIVER VIRUS IN BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA

We used geographic information systems and a spatial analysis approach to explore the pattern of Ross River virus (RRV) incidence in Brisbane, Australia. Climate, vegetation and socioeconomic data in 2001 were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the Brisbane City Council and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, respectively. Information on the RRV cases was obtained from the Queensland Department of Health. Spatial and multiple negative binomial regression models were used to identify the socioeconomic and environmental determinants of RRV transmission. The results show that RRV activity was primarily concentrated in the northeastern, northwestern, and southeastern regions in Brisbane. Multiple negative binomial regression models showed that the spatial pattern of RRV disease in Brisbane seemed to be determined by a combination of local ecologic, socioeconomic, and environmental factors.

Received December 4, 2005. Accepted for publication January 15, 2007.

^* Address correspondence to Shilu Tong, School of Public Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia. E-mail: s.tong{at}qut.edu.au

Authors’ addresses: Wenbiao Hu and Shilu Tong, School of Public Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia, Telephone: 61-7-3138-9745, Fax: 61-7-3138-3369, E-mail: s.tong{at}qut.edu.au. Kerrie Mengersen, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4000, Australia. Brian Oldenburg, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.