Ross River Fever - Everything You Need To Know

Ross River fever is just one of the many viral infections you can get from infected mosquitoes. By knowing the basics of what it is, what symptoms to look out for and how to address them, you can help prevent the spread of the infection and keep you and your loved ones safe from the virus. Read below to learn more about Ross River fever.

What is Ross River fever?

Ross River fever is a viral illness caused by an infection submitted through mosquito bites. It is spread mainly by the bite of mosquitoes that carry Ross River fever. The virus was first identified in mosquitoes collected near Townsville’s Ross River in Queensland, but cases have been recorded in all states of Australia.

Where does Ross River fever occur?

The disease is most common in Australia from January through till April, when mosquitoes are usually most abundant. About 4000 people are recorded as being infected with the virus in Australia each year. It occurs throughout most regions of Australia including regional Victoria, particularly around inland waterways and coastal regions. People living in warm, humid climates near bodies of water will be most at risk of infection, particularly those in contact with known mosquito habitats. This is because local conditions of rainfall, tides and temperature promote mosquito breeding.

What are the symptoms of Ross River virus?

Symptoms usually appear within five to fourteen days of being bitten by an infected mosquito. They can include:

Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches and aches and pains in the muscles and joints
Swollen or stiff joints
General feelings of nausea, fatigue or weakness
Rash on the body, arms or legs

A rash from Ross River virus is typically red and raised, and mainly affects your torso and limbs. It usually lasts between seven to ten days.

The majority of people will completely recover within six weeks. Others may experience long-term effects of Ross River fever such as joint pain or tiredness for months.

However, many people (particularly children) will never actually develop symptoms.

What causes Ross River fever?

The Ross River virus is not contagious and is only spread by mosquitoes. The virus typically lives in native mammals such as kangaroos and wallabies, but can also be found in rodents, birds, bats and horses. Certain types of female mosquitoes will contract the virus if they feed on the blood of an infected animal. The virus then multiplies within the mosquito and is passed to other animals or people when the mosquito feeds again.

Once the virus enters the human bloodstream, it reproduces itself in blood cells and builds up in the muscles, joints and skin, which leads to the symptoms of infection.

How serious is a Ross River fever?

While there are long-term effects of Ross River fever such as joint pain and fatigue that can last months, as of now, there have been no reported human deaths due to the illness. However, it’s important that we still follow preventive measures to avoid the spread of the infection. Even though there haven’t been any reported deaths to date, the symptoms of Ross River fever can still be quite disruptive to our everyday lives.

How do you prevent Ross River fever?

There is no vaccine to prevent infection from the Ross River virus.

Protecting yourself and your family from mosquito bites is critical in preventing disease. From avoiding mosquito-infested places to using effective mosquito repellents, here are some ways you can protect yourself from Ross River fever:

Stay away from known mosquito-infested areas, particularly at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, to avoid Ross River fever as well as other mosquito-related diseases such as Zika virus and dengue
When outdoors, cover as much skin as possible with light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and covered footwear
Use an effective repellent such as Aerogard on all exposed skin, and be sure to reapply regularly as protection wears off from perspiration
If you don’t like having repellent on-skin, cover your clothes with a fabric spray repellent.
Use mosquito coils outdoors
Cover all windows, doors and vents with insect screens
Use screened tents when camping, or sleep under a mosquito net
Find out why mosquitoes bite you to learn how to not get bitten as often
Learn how to prevent mosquito bites while sleeping and check out Aerogard Home plug-in repellent to avoid bites during night time
Protect your kids by using repellents like Aerogard Kids Pump Spray that has a ColourFade Technology to ensure all areas of the skin are covered.

Is there a treatment for Ross River fever?

There is no specific cure for the Ross River virus. Doctors can only advise on treatment to relieve symptoms such as aches, pains or swelling. These treatment methods may include aspirin, plenty of bed rest and avoiding alcohol and excessive physical activity.

Disclaimer

Aerogard and Mortein do not make any warranty that by using these products you will not contract the diseases referred to in this site. Use Aerogard and Mortein as part of a complete preventative plan and please still take caution. Seek a medical professional for further advice in regards to the above, especially if visiting prone areas.

This article is for general information only and not intended as a substitute for medical advice. All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. In all health-related matters, always consult your healthcare professional.

Sources:

Ross River virus fact sheet. (n.d.). http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/ross-river-fever.aspx
Aaskov, J. (2015, March 4). Explainer: what is Ross River virus and how is it treated? The Conversation. http://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-ross-river-virus-and-how-is-it-treated-37889
Anderson, B. (2024, July 27). What is Ross River Virus? WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-ross-river-virus
Corporation, A. B. (2006, January 19). Ross River fever - Health & Wellbeing. http://www.abc.net.au/health/library/stories/2006/01/19/1831791.htm
Northern Territory Government. (2023, September 20). Ross River virus. NT.GOV.AU. https://nt.gov.au/wellbeing/health-conditions-treatments/viral/ross-river-virus