South Australians in the Riverland are being warned to take appropriate steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites, as Ross River Virus has been detected in mosquito traps set in Kingston on Murray and Waikerie.
Ross River Virus, also known as Ross River fever is an infection that is spread by mosquitoes from infected animals to humans. Native animals such as wallabies and kangaroos are thought to be the main animals involved in the cycle of infection.
When a female mosquitos feeds on the blood of an infected animal, the mosquito can become infected with the virus, which then can be passed on to humans or other animals when the mosquito feeds again.
As outbreaks get larger, mosquitoes may also spread the virus from infected people to other people.
Luckily, many people who are infected with Ross River Virus, particularly children, will experience no or minimal symptoms. The severity of symptoms tends to increase with age.
While symptoms vary from person to person, people could experience: fever, chills, muscle aches, rash, fatigue, aching tendons, swollen lymph nodes, headache, especially behind the eyes, and joint pain.
Joint pain is most synonymous with Ross River Virus. Any joint in the body may be affected, but the most common are the wrists, knees, ankles, fingers, elbows, shoulders and jaw. The pain may be more severe in different joints at different times.
In most cases, symptoms disappear within 6 weeks, though some people may still have symptoms after a year or two and the symptoms may come and go. About 10% of people have ongoing depression and fatigue.
Diagnosis for this is made by a blood test, and the time between becoming infected and developing symptoms ranges from 3 days to 3 weeks, but is usually between 1 to 2 weeks. There is no specific antiviral treatment for Ross River Virus and no vaccine to prevent infection. Paracetamol can be taken to treat pain and fever, although it is important to note that aspirin should not be given to children under 12 years of age unless specifically recommended by a doctor.
To protect yourself from Ross River Virus it’s best to repel it with repellent containing either DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (PMD) or by something that has been approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
For more information about Ross River Virus, click here.
For other ways to protect yourself and your home from mosquitos, click here.
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