Overview Immune response to RRV infection Morphology Symptoms Diagnosis Panbio RRV test kits Prevention Current situation Further reading References

Overview

Ross River virus (RRV) is transmitted via mosquitos and is endemic in Australia and Papua New Guinea.  The disease caused by RRV, Ross River fever (also know as epidemic polyarthritis), is among the most common notifiable diseases in Australia (approximately 5,000 cases each year) (1).    RRV is transmitted via mosquitoes and found throughout Australia, particularly on the coast of Queensland and New South Wales.  The virus may cause epidemic polyarthritis which can be extremely debilitating.  The average case of RRV infection lasts for 3 months, however joint pain and fatigue can persist for years.  Symptoms may vary and can appear from 3 days to 3 weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito (2).

Immune response to RRV infection

Almost 100% of patients produce anti-RRV IgM and IgG antibodies within two weeks of disease onset.  Anti-RRV IgG antibody persists for life, while IgM antibody is present for only 10-19 weeks after onset of symptoms in most patients.

Morphology

single strand, + sense RNA genome enclosed by capsid proteins capsid surrounded by a host cell derived lipid envelope in which two glycoproteins (E1 and E2) are embedded as trimeric dimers virions approximately 700 Å in diameter an alphavirus, member of the family Togaviridae

Symptoms

Rash Fever Headache Aches in muscles and joints

Diagnosis

isolation of virus from acute phase seronegative serum detection of anti-Ross River virus IgM antibody in a patient within 4 to 6 weeks of onset of polyarthritis four-fold rise in anti-Ross River virus IgG or IgM antibody in paired sera collected 7 to 10 days apart and tested in parallel

Panbio RRV test kits

Panbio offers ELISA kits for the detection of anti-RRV IgG or IgM in human serum to assist in the diagnosis of Ross River fever.  Please click on the product of interest below to find out more. Ross River IgG ELISA* Ross River IgM ELISA*

Prevention

mosquito avoidance – the virus can only spread by mosquito bite screen houses cover up when likely to be exposed to mosquitoes eliminate mosquito breeding sites in or near residential areas vaccine is under development, but not yet available for human use

Current situation

The number of Ross River virus (RRV) notifications in Australia has been on the rise since 2002.  Most cases are reported in Queensland, however considerable RRV activity has been observed in Western Australia recently.

Further reading

We hope this site has provided you with a good overview of Ross River fever.  Please follow the web links below for further information or contact Panbio.  Qld Health Ross River virus fact sheet NSW Health Arbovirus website The Big Picture Book of Viruses: Togaviridae

References

1. Communicable Diseases Australia 2. Harley D. et al. (2001) Ross River virus transmission, infection, and disease: a cross- disciplinary review. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 4:909-932. 3. Data on file. * Not for sale or distribution in the USA.