Ross River Virus is a nasty disease that people in Australia should be concerned about. In this article, we’ll be discussing Ross River fever, the symptoms, and other factors to make you more aware of it and how you can protect yourself.
What is Ross River Virus?
Ross River virus is a disease that is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes. It is a nasty disease for those who display symptoms. Though the majority of people don’t experience any problem.
The virus is very prevalent in Australia and Papua New Guinea. It is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the country.
Some activities make it more likely to catch the disease, including travelling during the summer months when mosquitoes are more active or spending lots of time outdoors, especially near bodies of water.
There are currently no vaccines or medicines that can help a person prevent Ross River virus, but there are ways that you can protect yourself.
How Deadly Is the Ross River Virus?
The Ross River virus is generally not considered deadly. Most people who are infected recover without serious complications, although symptoms can be uncomfortable. The virus primarily causes Ross River fever, which manifests as joint and muscle pain, fatigue, and sometimes rashes. While these symptoms can be debilitating for several weeks, the illness rarely leads to severe health outcomes or hospitalisation.
However, the impact varies from person to person. Some individuals may experience lingering fatigue and joint pain that lasts for months, although long-term complications or fatalities are extremely rare. People with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses might find the symptoms more challenging to manage, but the virus is not known to cause death directly.
The focus for managing Ross River virus is on symptom relief rather than life-threatening intervention, with painkillers and rest being the most common treatments. Preventative measures remain essential since there are no vaccines or specific medications for the virus.
Where Is Ross River Virus Found?
The Ross River virus is primarily found in Australia and Papua New Guinea. In Australia, the virus is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, but cases have been reported in all states, including more temperate areas. High-risk regions include Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory, particularly near coastal areas, wetlands, and rivers where mosquitoes thrive.
The virus is especially active during the warmer months, from late spring to early autumn, when mosquito populations are at their peak. Activities like camping, hiking, or living near water bodies increase the risk of exposure. The virus has also been detected in urban parks and gardens, where stagnant water provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Travellers to endemic regions should take precautions, as mosquito bites are the only way to contract the virus. Preventive measures, including insect repellent and mosquito nets, are highly recommended when visiting these areas.
How Do You Get Ross River Virus?
The Ross River virus spreads exclusively through the bite of infected mosquitoes, particularly female mosquitoes, as they feed on blood. The virus cannot be transmitted directly between people or from animals to humans. Some mosquito species known to transmit the virus include Aedes and Culex, which are common in Australia and thrive in standing water.
People are more likely to contract the virus during summer and early autumn, as mosquito activity increases with warmer temperatures. Outdoor activities like camping, fishing, or gardening, especially near rivers, lakes, or wetlands, elevate the risk. Rainy seasons or floods can also boost mosquito populations, increasing the chances of transmission.
What Are the Symptoms of Ross River Virus
Many people who catch Ross River Virus will experience nothing. However, there are several Ross River fever symptoms that you might suffer from. There is no way to tell if you’ll experience any symptoms, as it appears to be random as to who displays and who does not.
For those that do display Ross River virus symptoms, the common problems might include joint/muscle pain, joint swelling, fever, tiredness, and even a rash where the bite is and across the body.
Ross River Fever Treatment
There is no specific treatment for those who’ve experienced Ross River disease symptoms. However, there are remedies such as pain relief that can help lessen the impact of the symptoms.
If you’ve caught Ross River, you should not donate blood for four months after the end of the symptoms.
Most people do recover within a few weeks, but a small number of those affected may suffer for longer.
Living with Ross River Virus
There’s no treatment, so those who have caught the Ross River virus may have a few uncomfortable weeks. These people might need to use pain and anti-inflammatory medication to reduce the impact of the symptoms. You might also need to take some time off work when symptoms are bad.
However, most people with Ross River disease can effectively carry on with their lives with no issues.
Does Ross River Virus Come Back?
Generally speaking, those who have caught Ross River virus once will not be able to catch it again. They become immune. However, there have been a small number of cases of individuals who have been re-infected. This could be because of a new strain, or it could be because of a misidentification of the first or second infection.
However, those who have been affected twice may be unlucky.
Ross River Fever Long-term Effects
There is little evidence to suggest that the long-term effects of Ross River disease are serious. Almost everyone will recover within a few weeks, though some people might experience lingering fatigue, lethargy, and depression. These will subside over time.
However, the recovery period of the disease is not set. Some people can recover relatively quickly, whereas others will recover slowly.
Preventing Ross River Fever
Prevention is always better than cure. Therefore, you will want to make sure that you’re not being bitten by mosquitoes, rather than trying to treat the disease. Luckily several successful treatments can help you prevent you and your family from being bitten by mosquitoes. These include the following options.
Mosquito Nets
The first option is to sleep with a mosquito net around your bed/tent. These are an effective barrier that prevents the mosquito from accessing you. You are most vulnerable when you’re sleeping, especially when in hot weather because the mosquitoes are attracted
Mosquito nets are very cost-effective and can be added to prams, cots, over tents, and more.
Patches
Mosquito Patches are a great way to deter mosquitos when out and about and when you’re asleep. They’re a small patch that you wear on you. They emit an odour that mosquitoes don’t like and therefore avoid you. They’re completely child-friendly and can be used on infants as well.
Patches are great for when you’re going to be in a mosquito location for short periods. Or when you want to enjoy a BBQ or other outdoor event and want additional protection from lotions.
Lotions
There are numerous repellent lotions that you can buy. These are okay, but they usually have numerous chemicals in them and their effectiveness will differ depending on the brand.
Therefore, always check that they have been tested and see what reviewers have to say about their effectiveness.
Lotions can also irritate sensitive skin. So it is important to consider this and perhaps test lotion on a small part of your arm before using it.
Mosquito Traps
Mosquito traps can be used as a way to control populations in areas. These work by attracting the mosquitos and then killing them in the trap either through a quick electric shock or getting them stuck to some paper. However, there are some issues with this. Mosquito traps don’t allow for natural ecosystems to thrive.
Therefore, this is not for anyone who wants to repel the insects. However, it can also be a great way to keep populations down during the summer months when numbers are high.
Final Word: What Is Ross River Virus?
Ross River virus can be an uncomfortable illness to get. The virus is spread by mosquitoes and so is more common in the summer when the flying insects are about. It is also spread by the females of the species because the males do not feed on human blood.
Protection and prevention are the best options because there is no treatment for Ross River fever. But those who have caught the illness once are unlikely to have a recurrence, even if the first experience will not be a pleasant one.
