Ross River Virus January 2013
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Centre for Disease Control Ross River virus January 2013 What is Ross River virus (RRV) disease? It is a viral disease caused by the Ross River virus and is characterised by painful or swollen joints lasting from days to months. Symptoms usually settle by themselves. • How is it spread? RRV infection cannot be spread from person The illness generally begins with painful to person. The virus is transmitted to humans (sometimes swollen) joints and muscle and by the bite of an infected mosquito. The tendon pain. The most commonly affected mosquitoes present in the Northern Territory joints are the ankles, fingers, knees and wrists. (NT) that can spread the virus are Culex The pain usually develops rapidly, may be annulirostris (common banded mosquito), intense, and may be more severe in different Aedes vigilax (salt marsh mosquito), Aedes joints at different times. Other symptoms normanensis (flood water mosquito) and include a raised red rash affecting mostly Aedes notoscriptus (backyard mosquito). limbs and trunk, fever, fatigue, headache, light Many people, particularly children, even if intolerance and swollen glands. Less common bitten by an infected mosquito, do not develop symptoms include sore eyes and throat, any symptoms of the disease. nausea and tingling in the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. Where and when is the virus Fever, nausea and the skin rash usually found? disappear within the first 1 or 2 weeks of illness. Joint, muscle and tendon pain may last RRV is found throughout Australia, Papua New much longer, and can be distressing. Some Guinea, parts of Indonesia and the western people also have lingering fatigue, lethargy Pacific Islands. and depression. In the NT, the main risk season is from Symptoms subside eventually and leave few December to March inclusive with the highest or no after-effects. It is not possible at present risk period in January when large numbers to say how long an individual person will take of mosquitoes result from either high tides or to get better. increased rainfall. Humid conditions enable mosquitoes to live longer, which allows more Some adults with RRV infection recover within chance for a mosquito to pick up a virus 2 to 6 weeks of onset of the illness and most from the animal reservoir (usually marsupials people will progressively improve over 3 to 6 such as kangaroos and wallabies) and to live months. A minority of people (about 15%) will long enough for it to multiply and infect the still be unwell at 3 months, and at 6 months mosquito and then pass it on to humans in about 5% will have persistent joint pains and saliva when it bites. lethargy. A small minority (up to 2%) of people may What are the symptoms? have residual symptoms after a year. In Symptoms vary from person to person and general people with symptoms after a year may appear from 3 days to 3 weeks after being should be re-investigated and other forms of bitten, most commonly within 7 to 14 days. arthritis considered. www.nt.gov.au/health Ross River virus CENTRE FOR DISEASE CONTROL People with long-term symptoms are not • If camping out sleep in a mosquito-proof sick all the time. By 3 months, many people tent or under a mosquito net. Repellents experience some days when they are well and only protect against mosquito bites for up others when they are not, and as time goes by, to four hours, not all night. the latter become less frequent, but symptoms • Avoid scents on the body, e.g. perfume, may recur suddenly and without warning. deodorants, and sweat, since these can As a rule, once you’ve had RRV once, you attract mosquitoes. won’t get it again. However, there have been • Use personal repellents containing DEET a few rare cases of people developing RRV or picaridin on areas of exposed skin in more than once in their lifetime. combination with protective clothing. Children tend to experience milder symptoms • Use electric insecticide devices using of shorter duration than adults. repellent treated pads in indoor or enclosed What is the treatment? areas. • Use mosquito coils, or candle heated or RRV infection is diagnosed by a blood test. gas operated devices using insecticide There is no vaccine to prevent RRV infection, treated pads for patio and veranda or and there is no medical cure for the disease. relatively sheltered or low wind outdoor Medical treatment is aimed at easing joint situations. pains and swelling, and minimising fatigue For more information on protection measures and lethargy. For some people, simple pain- see Personal protection from mosquitoes. killers like aspirin or paracetamol are sufficient. Others will require stronger medications to ease the inflammation. Emotional stress, physical fatigue and alcohol may cause symptoms to worsen or to last For more information contact your longer. nearest Centre for Disease Control. How can it be prevented? Darwin 8922 8044 Katherine 8973 9049 Try to reduce the number of places on your property where mosquitoes can breed. Alice Springs 8951 7540 Any pools of water, even if tiny, can provide Tennant Creek 8962 4259 breeding sites for mosquitoes. Nhulunbuy 8987 0357 The only protection from RRV is to avoid being or www.nt.gov.au/health/cdc bitten by mosquitoes. For more information on mosquitoes and Personal protective measures virus ecology contact • Stay indoors when mosquitoes are most Centre for Disease Control, active, from just before, until 2 hours after Medical Entomology on 8922 8901. sunset. For more information regarding support groups and education call the Arthritis • Ensure flyscreens in houses or caravans Foundation of the NT on 8948 5232. are in good condition. www.nt.gov.au/health Ross River virus.