ROSS RIVER VIRUS - AUSTRALIA (TASMANIA) (03) ******************************************** A ProMED-mail post <http://www.promedmail.org> ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases <http://www.isid.org> Date: Mon 19 Aug 2002 From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org> Source: News.com.au, Tue 20 Aug 2002 [edited] <http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,4934116%255E921,00. html> Tasmania: Dramatic Rise in Cases of Ross River Virus Infection -------------------------------------------------------------- Tasmania is in the grip of a dramatic rise in debilitating Ross River virus infection, with a record number of cases this year. There have been 118 people infected this year [2002] compared with only 13 last year [2001], 8 in 2000, 67 in 1999, 9 in 1998, and the previous record of 74 cases in 1996. The sweep of the disease, particularly on the East Coast and in the South-East, has prompted calls for a program to control mosquitoes which spread it. The big rise in cases has been blamed on high rainfall in Tasmania last spring and summer. Public Health acting director Avner Misrachi said most Tasmanian cases this year were in the Clarence municipality. "When we look at this over the years, the majority of cases of Ross River virus occur in the South-East, on the East Coast and on Flinders Island," Dr Misrachi said. Symptoms usually lasted for 2 to 4 weeks and in the large majority of cases were gone in 3 months. However, in a small minority of cases in which patients experienced severe arthritic aches and pains around the joints, it could take 18 months for a full recovery. Dr Misrachi said the illness resolves itself completely."It doesn't have permanent consequences," he said. The Sorell Council wants a statewide program developed to control mosquitoes. For residents of Sorell municipality 19 cases were reported, with another 18 among people who had travelled to the municipality within 2 weeks of the onset of symptoms. The council plans to approach Dr Misrachi, the Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, the Local Government Association of Tasmania, and all Tasmanian councils seeking support to develop a plan to reduce the risk of contracting the virus. A research project this year by a medical entomology team from New South Wales' Westmead Hospital on mosquitoes caught by Sorell Council officers has found a major breeding area for mosquitoes capable of transmitting the virus at Saltmarsh on the Primrose Sands side of Carlton River. Trapping at 8 sites in the municipality found several mosquito species considered important carriers of the disease, but the southern saltmarsh mosquito (_Ochlerotatus camptorhynchus_) was [the] most abundant. The Westmead team said Ross River virus was shown to be active "and was observed at rates comparable to levels seen during epidemics, suggesting significant public health risks to the community". Sorell senior environmental officer Greg Robertson said the council now had enough information to start targeted control of mosquitoes, subject to support from the State Government and the community. Robertson said control method options could include using larvicides or insect growth regulators which targeted mosquito larvae. Another option was habitat modification, making shallow channels to improve drainage,which had been successful in Queensland and Western Australia. [Byline: Charles Waterhouse] -- ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org> [see also: Ross River Virus - Australia (Tasmania) 20020410.3927 Ross River virus - Australia (Tasmania) (02) 20020427.4042 2001 ---- Ross River virus - Australia 20010116.0127 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 ---- Ross River virus - Australia (Tasmania) 19990311.0371 Ross River virus - Australia (Tasmania) (02) 19991222.2198 1998 ---- 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 1997 ---- Ross River, Barmah Forest viruses - Australia 19970604.1162 Ross River fever - Australia (03) 19970605.1172 Ross River fever - Australia (Sydney) 19970602.1126 Ross River virus, military exercises: Australia 19970728.1587 1996 ---- Ross River virus outbreak - Australia 19960223.0343 Ross River virus outbreak - Australia (2) 19960305.0417] ......................................mpp/cp/pg/jw *##########################################################* ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the information, and of any statements or opinions based thereon, are not guaranteed. 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