|
|
ROSS RIVER VIRUS - AUSTRALIA (03): (NORTHERN TERRITORY)
*******************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Thu 24 Sep 2009
From: David Thomson <thomson.david48@gmail.com>
[David Thompson sent the following comment in response to the 23 Sep
2009 ProMED-mail post (archive no. 20090923.3343) reporting the
current Ross River virus [RRV] outbreak in Australia's Northern
Territory. - Mod.TY]
It may be enlightening to see if they [veterinarians] have recorded
any transient fever with more persistent poly or shifting arthritis
or tenosynovitis in horses in the Darwin area this year [2009].
Symptoms are usually also quite common in horses during bad RRV years.
--
David Thomson
Sub-regional Animal Health Specialist
Secretariat of the Pacific Community - Port Moresby
<thomson.david48@gmail.com>
[Ross River virus human infections are proportionally more frequent
in the Northern Territory than in other states. Dr Steve Berger,
Geographic Medicine, Tel Aviv Medical Center, comments that the
recent Ross River virus outbreak in Australia serves as a classic
exercise in epidemiology. Although Queensland and New South Wales
account for most cases of Ross River disease, rates per 100 000 are
consistently highest in the Northern Territory. (See GIDEON [Global
Infectious Disease & Epidemiology Network] graphs at
<http://www.gideononline.com/blog/2009/09/24/ross-river-disease-northern-territory/>)
Whether equine Ross River virus cases are common is an interesting
question. A 2008 report from southwestern Victoria state indicated
that horses infected by Ross River virus may develop clinical
disease. Although no virus was isolated from horses in that study,
elevated Ross River virus IgM antibody was found in horses presenting
with clinical signs including petechial haemorrhages,
lymphadenopathy, distal limb swelling, and reluctance to move.
Reference
---------
El-Hage CM, McCluskey MJ, Azuolas JK. 2008: Disease suspected to be
caused by Ross River virus infection of horses. Aust Vet J. 86(9):
367-70; abstract available at
<http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121387076/abstract>.
Maps showing the location of the Northern Territory and Darwin on the
north coast can be accessed at
<http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/australia/australia_pol99.jpg>
and the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Australia at
<http://healthmap.org/r/007y>. - Mod.TY]
[Horses more often than other animals are diagnosed with RRV. Horses
demonstrate stiffness, arthritis, and joint swellings, which may
become infected. Horses may develop a fever with the arthralgia, but
not all horses develop the fever. Horses can develop a viral toxemia
and can die from this disease. Horses may also survive the disease
and supposedly have lifetime immunity.
Other animals including dogs, cats, and rodents are susceptible to
the virus. However, they are not as frequently diagnosed with RRV.
Rodents and the flying fox bat may be the reservoirs for the virus.
The evidence is not conclusive on either of these species.
Australia's equine industry has had a tough year with Hendra and now
RRV, both coming on the heels of equine influenza. - Mod.TG]
[see also:
Ross River virus - Australia (02): (NT) 20090923.3343
Ross River virus - Australia: (WA) 20090904.3120
2007
----
Ross River virus - Australia (QLD) (02) 20071002.3252
Ross River virus - Australia (QLD) 20070930.3228
2006
----
Ross River virus - Australia (02): VIC 20060204.0363
Ross River virus - Australia: NSW, SA 20060114.0138
2005
----
Ross River virus - New Zealand (Waikato) ex Australia (NT) 20050120.0195
2004
----
Ross River virus - Australia (QLD) (02): background 20040404.0928
Ross River virus - Australia (QLD) 20040403.0916
Ross River virus - Australia (WA) (04) 20040427.1165
Ross River virus - Australia (WA) (03) 20040105.0049
2003
----
Ross River virus - Australia (WA) (02) 20031230.3170
Ross river virus - Australia (WA): alert 20031008.2529
Ross River/Barmah Forest viruses - Australia (NSW) 20030628.1597
2002
----
Ross river virus - Australia (Tasmania) (03) 20020821.5105
Ross River Virus - Australia (Tasmania) 20020410.3927
2001
----
Ross River virus - Australia (South) 20010320.0560
Ross River virus - Australia (North. Territory) (03) 20010225.0367
Ross River virus - Australia 20010116.0127
Ross River virus - Australia (Northern Territory) 20010108.0062
2000
----
Ross River virus - Australia (South Australia): ALERT 20001229.2292
Ross River/Barmah virus - Australia (SW): alert 20000123.0115]
...................................lm/ty/mj/tg/msp/lm
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Become a ProMED-mail Premium Subscriber at
<http://www.isid.org/ProMEDMail_Premium.shtml>
************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at <http://www.promedmail.org>.
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org
(NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your
full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send
commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help,
etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a
human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org.
############################################################
############################################################
|