Ross River Fever and Barmah Forest Virus (Australia)

[emmysue]

Apparently Ross River Fever is a mosquito borne viral disease very similar to chik...

Ross River Fever increase in the New England
Friday, 17 February 2006
http://inverell.yourguide.com.au/det...ews&m=2&y=2006

THE Hunter New England Area Health Service has issued a warning to people in the New England area to be aware of the dramatic increase in cases of Ross River Fever.
During the past month there has also been a dramatic increase in cases of Barmah Forest virus. Hunter New England Public Health physician, Dr David Durrheim, said the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, which are known to spread both the diseases.
"These viruses are spread by mosquitoes that feed on animals that have the infection,? Dr Durrheim said.
"Although the illness caused by the virus is not fatal, it can cause persistent and debilatating symptoms such as joint pain, fever, chills, headache and sometimes a rash. The rash usually disappears after seven to ten days.?
Dr Durrheim believes higher rainfall levels in affected areas may have contributed to a rise in mosquito breeding, which in turn creates an increase in bites and infections.
"The warmer weather and holidays also means people spend a lot more time exposed outdoors.?
Methods for avoiding mosquito bites include avoiding being outside unprotected before dawn and after dusk in particular, wearing loose fitting, light coloured clothing that covers arms and legs and using an insect repellent.
Avoiding high risk mosquito areas and fitting fly screens to windows and doors is also a good idea.
Try to reduce the amount of water around the home where mosquitoes can breed, for example, in undrained pots, blocked gutters and old tyres. And, use a fast acting insecticide spray if mosquitoes have made it inside your home.
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and a snip from another article:

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117...1-1243,00.html

"There have been 91 cases of painful and lingering Ross River fever and Barmah Forest virus between January 1 and February 7.
That is compared with only five cases for the same time last year, Victorian Infectious Diseases Unit data show."

[emmysue]

Re: Ross River Fever and Barmah Forest Virus (Australia)

http://tamworth.yourguide.com.au/det...ews&m=3&y=2006
Mosquitoes put sting in latest health alert with Ross River virus on rise
Sunday, 5 March 2006

NEW ENGLAND and Upper Hunter residents are urged to take precautions to ward off mosquitoes as part of a bid to stave off a rise in cases of Ross River fever.

The NSW Health Department has issued a warning of increased cases of Ross River fever, with a growing number of patients being admitted to hospitals suffering from the virus in recent months.
More than 25 cases of Ross River virus have been reported in the New England and Upper Hunter regions over the summer months, with wetter weather providing ideal conditions for the spread of the mosquito borne virus.
However, with figures suggesting only about 10 per cent of Ross River virus cases are reported to health authorities, the actual number of infections could be significantly higher.
Most cases have so far been reported in the Moree and Narrabri shires.
Residents across the region are urged to use effective insect repellent, remain well covered while outdoors and avoid spending time outside between dusk and dawn.
It is also recommended to clean gutters around the home, ensure fly screens are in good condition, keep pools chlorinated salted or empty and remove any open water containers around the home.
Sufferers of the virus typically experience influenza like symptoms of feverish illness, chills, headaches and aching muscles and joints. Most sufferers make a full recovery within a few weeks, however some can go on to experience symptoms for months or years after contracting the virus.

[emmysue]

Re: Ross River Fever and Barmah Forest Virus (Australia)

Ross River outbreak in Moora
Thursday, 30 March 2006

http://moora.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=local&story_id=469900&category=general%20news&m=3&y=2006

RAIN in October last year and heavy showers in January has lead to an outbreak of Ross River Virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest Virus (BFV) through mosquitos. Since September last year there have been 12 reported cases of the viruses, eight in the last two months.
Those infected with either one of the viruses have come from towns around Moora including Watheroo, Bindi Bindi and Piawanning, however it is believed that they have been infected while in Moora.
RRV and BFV are passed between mosquitos and animals. The only way the virus is caught is through being bitten by a virus-carrying mosquito.
Shire of Moora Environmental Development Manager Peter Haas said in the five years he had been with the Shire, this was the first time that RRV and BFV had been reported.
"The late rain has meant there is more water around for mosquitos to breed in," Mr Haas said.
"RRV and BFV tend to come in cycles with outbreaks around every 4-6 years and this is the first time we have had an outbreak since 2001."
There are a wide range of symptoms for the two diseases including painful or swollen joints, sore muscles, aching tendons, skin rashes, fever, tiredness, headaches and swollen lymph nodes.
Adults can take between two to six weeks to recover after the onset of infection, however some can continue to feel unwell for three months and in some cases for up to a year.
There is no vaccine to prevent either RRV or BFV and medial treatment is aimed at easing symptoms.
Fortunately, once infected with either RRV or BFV, people become immune to the original virus.
Mr Haas said the shire had been fogging and baiting the mosquitos at various places around town including the waste tank at the Moora swimming pool, storm sumps and the salt flats at Miling.
"We have stopped fogging as things have dried up and any mosquitos around now are probably breeding in backyards, so we ask residents to have a look around their backyards and dispose of containers that hold water, stock ponds with goldfish, keep swimming pools well chlorinated and free of dead leaves and screen rainwater tanks," he said.
To avoid being bitten screen doors and windows, use repellents when outside and wear long, loose fitting light coloured clothing.

[emmysue]

Re: Ross River Fever and Barmah Forest Virus (Australia)

North coast's mossie disease rate on the rise
Tuesday, 4 April 2006. 08:44

http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200604/1607731.htm?northcoast

Health authorities are warning of the highest number of Ross River and Barmah Forest virus cases in a decade for the NSW north coast.

Almost 200 have been reported already this year, including 75 cases of Ross River fever since the start of March.

North Coast Area Health Service spokesman Paul Corben says late summer rainfall, high tides and warm conditions have created ideal breeding conditions and he warns the peak season for infection is still ahead.

"Well, we're quite concerned and that's why we would like to again warn the community that the best way to avoid getting mosquito borne illnesses is not to get bitten and to protect yourself from being bitten," he said.

[DB]

Re: Ross River Fever and Barmah Forest Virus (Australia)

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't Ross River like Chikungunya?

I am not trying to imply anything, just wondering.

[emmysue]

Re: Ross River Fever and Barmah Forest Virus (Australia)

I've been wondering the same thing, DB.

Here's more info from the cdc:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol11no04/04-1070.htm

"Ross River virus, a mosquitoborne alphavirus in the family Togaviridae, is a single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus. Other viruses in this family include Chikungunya, o'nyong-nyong, Sindbis, and eastern and western equine encephalitis."

And here are the symptoms:

http://www.vadscorner.com/alphaviruses.html

Clinical Features
In Australian cases, the incubation period has been estimated to be 10-11 days. Onset is relatively sudden and the first symptom is usually joint pain. Rash occurs in the majority of patients, usually coincident with, or 1-2 days after, initial symptoms but in some cases rash preceded joint pains by 11 days and followed them as much as 15 days. The eruption is usually macular, papular, or both and occasionally is accompanied by vesiculation of the papules or petechiae. The eruption is typically most prominent on the trunk and limbs and may involve the palms, soles, and face. In a minority of patients it is itchy, and it fades within a few days. Constitutional symptoms such as fatigue and lethargy occur in only half the patients. Body temperature is normal, or in half the patients modestly elevated for 1-3 days. Myalgia, headache, anorexia, and nausea are common.

Three-fourths of patients have joint manifestations and are incapacitated for considerable periods of time. The severity of the pain interferes with sleeping, walking or grasping everyday objects. Involvement of multiple joints, often asymmetrical and usually migratory, occurs. Wrists, ankles, metacarpophalangeal, interphalangeal, and knee joints are most common, although toes, shoulders, and elbows are also targets. Joints of the spine, hip and jaws are least often affected. Arthralgias are worse in the mornings or after immobilization; modest exercise may improve them. About one-third of patients will have true arthritis. Periarticular swelling and tenosynovitis are also common. 10-30% of patients will have paresthesias and/or pain in the palms and soles.

Most patients will be unable to work or perform house work; but by 4 weeks, half will be able to resume normal activities, albeit with residual arthralgia. About 10% will still be limited by joint symptoms at 3 months. Occasional patients will continue to have signs and symptoms of articular disease for 1-3 years.