Ross River Fever Trivia Quiz

Answer: tropical

Tropical diseases are diseases that are prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. Ross River fever is found in mainland Australia and Tasmania, the islands of New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, the Cook Islands, New Caledonia and several other smaller islands in the South Pacific. The same disease is called "Sagiyama" virus in Japan.

Answer: mosquito

Mosquitoes can act as vectors for many disease-causing viruses. Infected mosquitoes carry the virus from person to person without exhibiting symptoms themselves. As the Ross River fever virus is is transmitted by mosquitoes, it is considered an "arbovirus".

The main reservoir hosts for the virus are kangaroos and wallabies, although many other native and introduced species also act as reservoir hosts.

Answer: joint pain

Joint pain, or arthritis, is the main symptom of Ross River fever. Other symptoms include a rash on the arms and legs, which can occur roughly ten days after the arthritis begins. Lymph nodes may enlarge, most commonly in the arm pits or groin. There can also be flu like symptoms, such as fever, chills and headache. About 30% of children who catch Ross River fever display no symptoms at all.

Answer: blood test

The time between catching the disease and experiencing symptoms is usually about one to two weeks. Blood tests to diagnose Ross River fever are taken within seven days of detection. Tests may either look for simply elevated antibodies (infection), or specific antibodies for the virus. To completely test for the virus, a second blood test must be conducted ten to fourteen days after the first.

The patient will then be declared positive if there is a significant elevation of the antibody count.

Answer: wearing light coloured clothing

Ross River fever has three main preventative measures. Firstly, insect repellent should be used to prevent bites from insects, specifically mosquitoes. A study in tropical Australia showed a marked decrease in the Ross River fever risk due to the use of insect repellent. Secondly, wearing light coloured clothing decreases the risk of Ross River fever three-fold. Lastly, high risk areas should use preventative measures in households. Screens should be fitted to windows and doors and potential breeding areas for mosquitoes, such as open water containers, should be removed.

Answer: 1928

There were several outbreaks before the virus that causes Ross River fever was identified. At this time it was called "epidemic polyarthritis". The first known outbreak in 1928 was in Narrandera and Hay area in New South Wales, Australia. In 1943, in the Northern Territory, Queensland and the Schouten Islands, off the northern coast of Papua New Guinea experienced a major epidemic.

The largest known outbreak of the virus was in 1979-1980 in the Western Pacific. The outbreak involved the islands of Fiji, Samoa, the Cook Islands, and New Caledonia.

Answer: Ross River, Queensland

In 1959, a new alphavirus was identified in mosquito samples trapped at the Ross River, near Townsville, in Queensland. Further serological testing showed that patients who had suffered "epidemic polyarthritis" in Queensland had antibodies to the virus. The new virus was named Ross River virus, and the disease Ross River fever.

Answer: no specific treatment

There is no specific treatment for Ross River virus infection. Only the symptoms can be treated. The treating doctor will be able to advise you on medications that will help ease the discomfort of the symptoms. Patients are given simple analgesics, anti-inflammatories, anti-pyretics and rest while the illness runs its course.

Answer: continued pain and stiffness

Debilitating pain and stiffness can last well after the initial illness has passed. The main predictor of the likelihood of developing chronic symptoms is the severity of the acute illness itself. Studies have suggested that a Ross River fever infection was associated with arthralgia, fatigue and depression lasting for years. People with persistent symptoms aren't sick all the time.

However, symptoms may recur suddenly and without warning. Again, medical professionals can only treat these symptoms.

Answer: Barmah Forest virus

Barmah Forest virus causes similar symptoms to Ross River fever. There is no specific treatment for the viral infection and the disease is non-fatal. The virus was discovered in 1974 in mosquitoes in the Barmah Forest in northern Victoria. The virus has gradually spread from the sub-tropical northern areas of Victoria to the coastal regions of New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.