Toponymous diseases of Australia

• Names are more than just labels used to identify diseases. They can be windows into the discovery, characteristics and attributes of the disease. • Toponymous diseases are diseases that are named after places. • Hendra, Ross River, Bairnsdale, Murray Valley and Barmah Forest are all examples of Australian places that have had diseases named after them. They all have unique and interesting stories that provide a glimpse into their discovery, history and culture. • Because of perceived negative connotations, the association of diseases with placenames has sometimes generated controversy.