Summary
Read the full fact sheet- Ross River virus is spread by mosquito bites.
- Fever, joint inflammation and pain, rash, fatigue and muscle aches are the usual symptoms of Ross River virus infection.
- Reduce the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes by wearing long, loose-fitting, light coloured clothes and use effective insect repellent in mosquito-prone areas.
On this page
- About Ross River virus infection
- Symptoms of Ross River virus infection
- Transmission of Ross River virus
- Ross River virus infection in Australia
- Diagnosis of Ross River virus infection
- Prevention of Ross River virus infection
- How to protect yourself from mosquitoes
- Treatment for Ross River virus infection
- Where to get help
About Ross River virus infection
Ross River virus infection can cause fever, rash, joint inflammation and pain, fatigue and muscle aches. Most people recover completely within 3 to 6 months, although some people have intermittent symptoms for a year or more.
Ross River virus infection is caused by an alphavirus, which is spread by mosquitoes. Symptoms usually begin to appear 3 to 9 (but up to 21) days after becoming infected.
When in mosquito-prone areas, wear long, loose-fitting clothes and use insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin to help reduce the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes.
Symptoms of Ross River virus infection
Most people who get Ross River virus do not feel unwell. For those who do experience symptoms, the symptoms and severity of symptoms vary from person to person, but can include:
- fever
- chills
- joint pain and swelling, most commonly affected joints are wrist, knees, ankles, fingers and toes)
- rash of variable appearance on the trunk and limbs
- tiredness muscle aches and pains
- swollen lymph nodes, especially in the groin or armpit
- headaches
Most people with Ross River virus disease recover completely within 3 to 6 months. Current knowledge suggests that the body builds an immune response to the virus, which is likely to protect you against the disease for the rest of your life.
Some people may have symptoms that last longer than a year or recur, but these may be due to other causes. See your doctor to check your diagnosis if you’re concerned about ongoing symptoms.
Transmission of Ross River virus
People can be infected with Ross River virus when they are bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus. It is suspected that mosquitoes pick up the virus from kangaroos and possibly other marsupials and wild rodents, which can act as a natural host for the virus. Diseases that are spread by insects are known as ‘vector-borne’ diseases.
The virus is not spread directly from one person to another.
Ross River virus infection in Australia
Ross River virus infection is common in Australia. It occurs throughout most regions of Australia including regional Victoria, particularly around inland waterways and coastal regions.
Epidemics occur from time to time and are related to environmental conditions that encourage mosquito breeding such as heavy rainfall, floods, high tides and high temperature.
Diagnosis of Ross River virus infection
Blood tests can reveal if a person has been infected with Ross River virus recently or in the past.
Prevention of Ross River virus infection
There is no preventive vaccine available. Your only protection against Ross River virus and the most effective way to prevent other mosquito-borne diseases is by avoiding mosquito bites and removing mosquito breeding sites around your home and property.
How to protect yourself from mosquitoes
Protect yourself and your family from exposure to mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases:
- Wear long, loose fitting clothes and covered shoes outdoors.
- Use mosquito repellents containing Picaridin or DEET on all exposed skin.
- Limit outdoor activity if lots of mosquitoes are about.
- Use ‘knockdown’ fly sprays and plug-in repellent devices indoors.
- Cover all windows, doors, vents, and other entranced with insect screens.
- Sleep under mosquito nets treated with insecticides if you don’t have flywire screens on windows on your home or are sleeping in an untreated tent or out in the open.
- Mosquito coils can be effective in small outdoor areas where you gather to sit or eat.
- Make sure there is no stagnant water around your home or property by emptying pots and containers at least once a week.
- Visit our Protect yourself from mosquito-borne disease page for more information.
Treatment for Ross River virus infection
There is no specific treatment available for Ross River virus infection. Your doctor will be able to advise you on treating the symptoms.
Where to get help
- Your GP (doctor)
- Your local council
- NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 60 60 24 – for confidential health advice from a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Department of Health, Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, Victorian Government. Tel. 1300 651 160
- Protect yourself from mosquito-borne disease
- Ross River virus disease, Infectious Diseases Epidemiology and Surveillance (Blue Book), Department of Health, Victorian Government.
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