What is Ross River Virus?
Infection with Ross River virus, an Alpha virus which results in what used to be called epidemic polyarthritis, can result in the illness Ross River fever which is endemic to Papua New Guinea, some islands in the South Pacific and Australia.
More than 40 types of mosquitoes from a diverse range of habitats are known to play a role in the transmission of RRV between animals and humans. Virus reservoirs are in both wild and domestic animals, but also humans who have sparked epidemics in urban areas and in the islands of the South Pacific. As development moves into more rural areas nearer to wildlife and abundant mosquito breeding grounds, the risk of infection increases.
While RRV infection is not fatal it can be quite debilitating as a result of peripheral arthritic joint pain which affects over 80% of patients. The severity of symptoms, which appear 3-11 days following the bite of an infected mosquito, range from asymptomatic - more common in children - to mild (can include fatigue, fever, swollen, aching joints, muscle pain, and a week later, a rash) to severe, lasting from a couple of weeks to several months, with some patients experiencing persistent chronic joint pain and tiredness for many years.
Incidence
Ross River virus is widespread in Papua New Guinea and Australia, with outbreaks in the past reported in regional areas of Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa and the Cook Islands. During the wet season from January to April, the incidence is generally higher in the tropical regions and more prevalent during late spring, summer and early autumn in the southern regions of Australia.
Symptoms
While RRV infection is not fatal it can be quite debilitating as a result of peripheral arthritic joint pain which affects over 80% of patients. The severity of symptoms, which appear 3-11 days following the bite of an infected mosquito, range from asymptomatic - more common in children - to mild (can include fatigue, fever, swollen, aching joints, muscle pain, and a week later, a rash) to severe, lasting from a couple of weeks to several months, with some patients experiencing persistent chronic joint pain and tiredness for many years.
Prevention
The prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases depends on many factors - season, temperature, rainfall and breeding sites among them and the disease vectors are active and feeding at different times of the day i.e. daytime biting for Aedes species but dusk to dawn for the species that transmit Japanese encephalitis and Ross River Virus. For this reason, using precautions to avoid mosquito bites at all times is the safest option.
- Avoid travelling into outbreak areas
- Be aware of peak mosquito exposure times and places
- Use effective insect repellents & contact insecticides
- Wear appropriate clothing
- Avoid scents & perfumes
- Mosquito nets, insect coils and sprays
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for Ross River virus disease, only supportive care to treat the symptoms – generally analgesics and anti-inflammatory medication. An effective vaccine has been developed but is not licensed (and therefore is not available).
The information we have provided in this factsheet is a guide and overview only. If you have any questions or need advice regarding your travel plans, speak to your doctor or a travel health provider before you leave.
References:
Australian Government Department of Health: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au
Better Health: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/ross-river-virus-disease
National Centre for Biotechnology Information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC89008
Science Direct: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S120197121730044
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