Ross-River-Virus

The Ross River virus ( RRV ) is an arbovirus of the family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus. It is in Australia, endemic to Papua New Guinea and the neighboring islands and leads annually to several thousand diseases (so-called epidemic polyarthritis).

History

The disease has been known since the 1930s, the first isolation of the virus was carried out in the 1960s. Since then, the virus has continued to spread, probably because of increased migration and thus new non-immune populations were affected. Endemic areas are found in South Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. Another propagation is theoretically possible since the virus spreading vectors ( mosquitoes ) also occur on other continents.

Infection

Transmission is by mosquitoes of the Aedes families, Culex and Mansonia. The virus reservoir are probably small mammals.

Clinic

After an incubation period 3-9 days sudden, symmetrical joint pain (arthralgia ) and muscle pain (myalgia ), and joint stiffness, low-grade fever, fatigue, malaise, lethargy, rashes and headaches. The disease is self-limiting, but symptoms may also persist for months to years.

Therapy

Vaccine or specific therapy does not exist, the treatment is symptomatic. In the affected areas, protection is advised against mosquitoes.

• Togaviruses
• Virus species