Articles
Trialling a new vaccine for Ross River Virus The number of cases of Ross River Virus is steadily increasing, and it is appearing further and further south. Wetter and more humid seasons create ideal conditions for high mosquito populations, and thus increased spread of Ross River Virus. With high incidence in our area, residents on the North Coast should be particularly aware of the disease, its symptoms, and how to prevent it. How do you get Ross River Fever and what are the symptoms? Ross River Fever is the disease caused by Ross River Virus, which is passed to humans through mosquitoes. It is thought that wallabies and kangaroos are natural reservoirs of the virus. Symptoms usually start three days to two weeks after being bitten. The main symptoms are joint pain (more than 95 per cent of patients) and swelling, tiredness (90 per cent), fever (50–60 per cent), rash (40– 60 per cent), and other flu-like symptoms. The disease is not fatal but the effects, especially the ‘arthritis’, can be severe and persistent. Recovery from the disease takes on average 3–6 months, but some people can be affected for over a year.
Aedes aegypti can carry the Ross River Virus. Image from Wikipedia.
the Solomon Islands. In Australia the most common areas for Ross River Virus transmission are the Northern Territory, Queensland and Northern New South Wales, and tropical Western Australia. Recently, there are increasing numbers of cases reported in more southerly locations and in more urban areas. Warm, humid, coastal and tropical areas, and inland areas with waterAre you at risk? ways or high irrigation have the highThe virus is endemic in Australia, est percentage of cases, due to high Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and numbers of mosquitoes. This is why
as North Coast residents we should be particularly aware.
Treatment? There is no specific treatment for Ross River Virus itself, and no way to prevent development of the disease. The goal of therapy in Ross River Fever is to reduce the discomfort from symptoms. There is no known way to prevent the arthritis-like symptoms of the disease becoming chronic, and it is not known why this occurs in some cases and not others. Rest, physi-
otherapy and some medications can bursement for your time and travel expenses. help alleviate these. ‘This research has received ethics Prevention committee approval by Bellberry HuPreventing mosquitoes is the best man Research Ethics Committee. ‘Interest and enquiries on (02) 6680 way to prevent Ross River Fever. Wear light, loose clothing that cov- 7211 or at Holdsworth House Medical ers arms and legs, especially when out Practice, 37 Fletcher Street Byron Bay and about at dusk or dawn which are or email trials@holdsworthhouse. com.au. high mosquito biting times! Use mosquito repellent if in areas Q References: prone to mosquitoes. t #BSCFS # %FOIPMN + BOE Have fly-screens on all doors and 4QFMNBO % ĹžĹœĹœĹĽ Ross river virus. windows. Ensure that all uncovered, stagnant Australian Family Physician, 30(8), water is drained – this is where mos- 586 – 589. t /48 )FBMUI ĹžĹœĹœĹ¤ *OGFDUJPVT quitoes like to breed! Ross River Virus is a mosquito- disease factsheet: ross river virus. Reborne disease which is common trieved 17/5/2011, from http://www. in the North Coast and becoming health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/infecmore so. It causes arthritis and flu- tious/rossriver.html. t /48 )FBMUI ĹžĹœĹ?Ĺ? 3PTT SJWFS like symptoms and can be severe and debilitating. Symptoms generally last virus infection notifications in NSW 3–6 months but can go on for over a residents. Retrieved 17/5/2011, from year. At present there is no specific http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/data/ treatment. Prevention is the best diseases/rossriver.asp. t 2VFFOTMBOE (PWFSONFOU ĹžĹœĹ?Ĺœ cure! Ross river virus. Retrieved 17/5/2011, Q Article supplied by Holdsworth from http://access.health.qld.gov.au/ House Medical Practice, which is hid/InfectionsandParasites/ViralIncurrently trialling a new vaccine for fections/rossRiverVirus_fs.asp. t #FUUFS )FBMUI $IBOOFM ĹžĹœĹ?Ĺ? Ross River Virus: ‘We are looking for healthy volunteers ages 18yrs and over Ross river virus disease. Retrieved to participate in this study. You will 17/5/2011, from www.betterhealth.vic. receive a free vaccine against Ross gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/ River Virus and will receive reim- Ross_River_disease.
WOULD YOU RATHER: A) Be a few minutes late for the family lunch? B) Speed, hit a pole and make your wife
a paraplegic?
CHOOSE WISELY.
Dr. Briaan Owler. Neuurosurgeon. Weestmead Hospitals .
THESE HOLIDAYS, DON’T RUSH. www.echo.net.au
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The Byron Shire Echo June 7, 2011 17