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Ross River virus: 150 more victims in Victoria as outbreak tally tops 1000

Rania Spooner

An outbreak of the potentially debilitating Ross River virus in Victoria has continued to worsen, with authorities warning that another 155 people have been infected

Last week the state's chief health officer issued a warning about unusually high numbers of infections, noting that there had been 857 recorded case since January 1

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Melbourne mosquito warning: Ross River virus outbreak

There have been six confirmed cases of Ross River Virus in metropolitan Melbourne amid a state-wide outbreak due to high rainfall and warm weather, sparking a warning from authorities. Vision courtesy ABC News 24.

This week that tally has climbed again, to 1012.

The spread comes after heavy rainfall and warm weather across Victoria, which has created ideal breeding grounds for the mosquitoes that carry the virus.

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Chief health officer Charles Guest said 1012 was nearly 10 times greater than the number of infections seen after major flooding in 2010 when there were only 103 notifications recorded.

"Recent rain and relatively warm weather has created conditions ideal for mosquito breeding and we have seen a major increase in mosquito numbers as a result," he said.

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"This summer, we are now seeing the biggest increase of Ross River virus cases since the last major floods of 2010."

Symptoms include fever, headache, aching muscles, joints and fatigue. Some people will also develop a rash.

For most people it's considered a mild infection but in rare cases a person can experience symptoms for more than a year.  

The Victorian Health Department last week warned there had been six people believed to have become infected in metropolitan Melbourne – in Casey and Frankston – areas where mosquitoes carrying the virus are not usually found.

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None of those in Melbourne had travelled to regional areas where the virus is known to be present, suggesting they contracted it from mosquitoes locally.

A Health Department spokesman said there had been no further cases reported in Melbourne since last week, with all the new notifications from regional areas.

Most of the cases reported this year are from the Loddon Mallee (238 cases) and Hume (329) regions. 

There have been 89 cases in the Grampians, 87 in Barwon South West and 35 in the Gippsland Region.

In Melbourne, there have been 60 cases reported in the North Metropolitan region, 87 in Southern Metropolitan, West Metropolitan reported 27 cases, and East Metropolitan had 53.

All but six of the Melbourne cases were believed to have been acquired outside of the city but detected once the infected person returned home.

Emergency funds of $4.6 million have been shared among 18 high-risk and flood affected councils to try and control the spread of the mosquito-born disease by targeting breeding sites, trapping the insects, spraying and monitoring sentinel chickens.

Professor Guest said mosquitos were most active at dawn and dusk and Victorians should ensure they have screens fitted to doors and windows, which are in good condition to keep the insects out.

"Residents are encouraged to wear long, loose-fitting clothing and use a suitable insect repellent containing picaridin or DEET as an active ingredient on exposed skin areas," he said.

"Mosquito numbers can be reduced by getting rid of stagnant water around the home or campsites.

"Mosquitoes will breed in any receptacle that can hold water, including old tyres, unused fish ponds, unsealed water tanks and pot plant holders.

"As mosquitoes can hatch quickly, water containers around the home should be emptied at least once a week."

Information on protecting against mosquito bites is available on the Beat the Bite campaign page on the Better Health Channel at https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/beat-the-bite

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