The Invasion of Human Epidemic Diseases into Australia, New Zealand, and the Southwest Pacific: The Geographical Context

Abstract. Changes in the spread of disease-causing viruses into Australia, New Zealand and the Southwest Pacific are examined. Particular reference is made to the impact of reduced travel times between those areas and both Western Europe and Southeast Asia on the transfer of infectious human diseases, notably smallpox, measles, influenza and rubella. The likely consequences of increasing population size and decreasing remoteness on the entry of other infectious diseases are noted.