ROSS RIVER VIRUS - AUSTRALIA (TASMANIA) (02)
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[see also:
Ross River virus - Australia (Tasmania)                20020410.3927
2001
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Ross River virus - Australia                           20010116.0127
Ross River virus - Australia (North. Territory) (02)   20010205.0237
Ross River virus - Australia (North. Territory) (03)   20010225.0367
Ross River virus - Australia (Northern Territory)      20010108.0062
Ross River virus - Australia (South)                   20010320.0560
2000
----
Ross River/Barmah virus - Australia (SW): alert        20000123.0115
Ross River virus - Australia (South Australia): ALERT  20001229.2292
1999
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Ross River virus - Australia (Tasmania)                19990311.0371
Ross River virus - Australia (Tasmania) (02)           19991222.2198
Ross River virus - Australia (West): alert             19991106.1989
1998
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Ross River virus - Australia (New South Wales)         19980109.0067
Ross River virus - Australia (New South Wales) (02)    19980112.0087
Ross River virus infection - Australia                 19981231.2472]

Date: Thu 25 Apr 2002
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: The Mercury (Hobart Tasmania), Thu 25 Apr 2002 [edited]
<http://www.themercury.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,4197449%255E3462,00.html>


Cases of Ross River Virus Infection on Rapid Rise
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Cases of Ross River virus infection are continuing to spiral [in the 
South of Tasmania], with 30 more victims confirmed in the past week. 
The outbreak has now reached 80 so far this year--nearly 7 times the 
number of cases reported for the whole of last year. Acting Director 
of Public Health Avner Misrachi said yesterday the outbreak over the 
past 4 months was unprecedented. "We are looking at probably the 
largest number of cases we've ever seen for this part of the year," 
Dr Misrachi said.

The mosquito-borne illness causes an array of symptoms including pain 
and tenderness in muscles and joints, fevers, chills, sweating, 
headaches, and tiredness. People suffering such symptoms are advised 
to visit their local doctor, who can confirm the virus via a blood 
test.

This year's outbreak is believed to be partly due to heavy spring 
rains last year, which provided breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Dr 
Misrachi said there had been the occasional year in the past with 
similarly high Ross River virus case numbers, but never before had 
such high figures been notched up in so short a time. In all of last 
year only 12 cases were reported, he said. Most recent cases have 
been in the South, with a high proportion in the Clarence and Sorell 
communities. Dr Misrachi said these municipalities could be more 
susceptible because of their proximity to the coast. The mosquito 
vector tends to breed in coastal, brackish water.

Dr Misrachi said none of the cases reported so far had been outside 
the normal range of symptoms, and no one had needed to be 
hospitalised. Serious cases of Ross River virus have the potential to 
develop into a form of arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic 
encephalomyelitis. Dr Misrachi said those who overcame the virus 
gained immunity for life.

[Byline: Anne Barbeliuk]

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ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[Ross River virus (an alphavirus) is associated with recurrent 
epidemics of benign polyarthritis in Australia. The virus is endemic 
in most coastal regions, and also inland along the course of 
waterways and rivers. Serological surveys suggest that wild and 
domestic animals may serve as reservoir hosts, although in large 
epidemics the virus appears to be maintained by direct 
human-mosquito-human transmission. Recently the virus has extended 
its range into adjacent Pacific Islands. Illness is generally mild, 
but patients developing polyarthritis can be severely ill for several 
weeks or longer, but recovery is complete and no fatalities have been 
recorded. - Mod.CP]
..............jw/cp/pg/lm
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