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A recent article in Eurosurveillance describes two cases of Ross River virus (RRV) infection in Dutch travellers who visited Australia during February to April 2015. Both cases are female, the first aged early 50s and the second aged late 60s.
The first case was in Australia between 30 January - 5 March 2015, staying for the majority of time in the Perth area. The woman also spent 6 days in Cairns from 7 February 2015, where she sustained several mosquito bites. On her return to Perth she became unwell and sought medical attention for a fever, fatigue, frontal headache, muscle aches and arthralgia of her hands, wrists, feet and ankles. Subsequent serological investigation identified RRV infection.
The second case was in Australia between 29 March to 9 May 2015, staying in Sydney and Armidale in New South Wales. The woman also visited a mangrove forest near Coff Harbour and remembered sustaining mosquito bites during a trip on 14 April 2015. Following her return to the Netherlands she contacted her General Practitioner on 11 May with symptoms of fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia and a maculopapular rash. Subsequent serological investigation identified RRV infection.
RRV is endemic in the tropical areas of Australia i.e. the Northern Territory and Queensland and human cases are reported throughout the year. In temperate areas of Australia e.g New South Wales and Victoria human cases occur seasonally and in epidemics. As of 23 June 2015, a total of 7552 RRV cases were reported in Australia; the highest number reported in one year since 1996. The majority of cases were reported in Queensland (5075) and New-South Wales (1292) with peak incidences reported between February-April 2015.
(Via Eurosurveillance, Volume 20, Issue 31, 06 August 2015 - accessed 10/08/15)
Ross River Virus (RRV) is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Travellers should be made aware of the risk of RRV in areas of Australia.
Avoidance of mosquito bites, particularly during daylight hours, by covering up and the use of bite avoidance measures is recommended to reduce risk. Those at increased risk include babies, young children, tourists and those living or camping near swamp and river systems during the evening and night.
Reusken C, Cleton N, Medonça Melo M, Visser C, GeurtsvanKessel C, Bloembergen P, Koopmans M, Schmidt-Chanasit J, van Genderen P. Ross River virus disease in two Dutch travellers returning from Australia, February to April 2015. Euro Surveill. 2015;20(31):pii=21200. Available online: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=21200
