Do neglected Australian arboviruses pose a global epidemic threat?

Arboviruses (Arbo: ARthropod BOrne) remain a concern for public health in Australia. They are transmitted between their vertebrate hosts by arthropods (mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies and midges). Although more than 75 arboviruses have been identified in Australia, for most there is no information as to whether they infect or cause disease in people.1 Clinically, the most important Australian arboviruses are Ross River, Barmah Forest, Murray Valley encephalitis and West Nile (Kunjin strain).2 However, several other arboviruses that are indigenous to Australia also infect humans, including notably Kokobera, Stratford, Alfuy and Edge Hill virus.2