Ross river fever (epidemic polyarthritis)

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Etiology

transmitted by mosquitoes
endemic to Australia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, the Cook Islands, New Caledonia and several other islands in the South Pacific.
main reservoirs are kangaroos & wallabies
- horses, possums & possibly birds & flying foxes play a role
mosquito vectors include
- Culex annulirostris in inland areas
- Aedes vigilax in northern coastal regions
- Aedes camptorhynchus in southern coastal regions

~ 1/3 of infections are asymptomatic, especially in children
flu-like symptoms are common
- fever
- headache
- myalgias, arthralgias (polyarthritis)
- sweating
morning stiffness
rash is common
- usually on the trunk or extremities, but can occur elsewhere
- rash generally resolved in 7-10 days
purpura may be noted
fatigue, inability to concentrate, dythymia
- school or work performance can be affected
after a few weeks most of these symptoms resolve
myalgias, arthralgias & morning stiffness may return for periods of time, even after the virus is gone