title: Risks for Ross River virus disease in tropical Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are no analytical studies of individual risks for Ross River virus (RRV) disease. Therefore, we set out to determine individual risk and protective factors for RRV disease in a high incidence area and to assess the utility of the case-control design applied for this purpose to an arbovirus disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a prospective matched case-control study of new community cases of RRV disease in the local government areas of Cairns, Mareeba, Douglas, and Atherton, in tropical Queensland, from January 1 to May 31, 1998.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Protective measures against mosquitoes reduced the risk for disease. Mosquito coils, repellents, and citronella candles each decreased risk by at least 2-fold, with a dose-response for the number of protective measures used. Light-coloured clothing decreased risk 3-fold. Camping increased the risk 8-fold.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These risks were substantial and statistically significant, and provide a basis for educational programs on individual protection against RRV disease in Australia. Our study demonstrates the utility of the case-control method for investigating arbovirus risks. Such a risk analysis has not been done before for RRV infection, and is infrequently reported for other arbovirus infections.
authors.affiliation: Queensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability, School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Mater Hospital, Brisbane, 4101, Queensland, Australia. D.Harley@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harley
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ritchie
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bain
authors.forename: Adrian C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Sleigh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018354:Alphavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D002165:Camping; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003020:Clothing; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012398:Ross River virus; D014329:Tropical Climate