Mozzies spread pain and suffering
Ross River virus could go global, say experts
GEELONG continues to fight an escalating outbreak of a debilitating virus, as research suggests it could become a global epidemic.
In less than two months there have been 81 confirmed cases of Ross River virus in the Barwon South West region, dwarfing the four cases recorded in the same period last year, Health Department figures show.
In the past four weeks there have been more confirmed cases of the virus in the region than in 2016, 2015 and 2014 combined.
For those infected with the virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, little stings come at a big price.
“I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy,” Clifton Springs 63-year-old Rod Carter said.
Mr Carter, who was diagnosed with the virus at the start of the month, described the debilitating “constant aching” that notoriously comes with the virus.
“It started as tingling and I couldn’t grip things tightly with my hands . . . a day or so later I had excruciating pain in my knees and ankles,” he said. “I could hardly walk. “Every time I’d stand up I felt like a 90-year-old.
“On a (pain) scale of one to 10, I’d say it’s a good eight or nine for sure.”
The latest figures showing the increasing outbreak of the virus in Geelong came following a research study from the University of Adelaide and the Australian National University finding Ross River virus could be the next mosquito-borne global epidemic.
One of the project leaders, Phil Weinstein, went so far as to suggest it could spread worldwide like the Zika virus — which had been declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation.
“With the large number of Australians now travelling, it would not be unreasonable to expect one or more tourists to carry RRV overseas to seed a new epidemic,” Professor Weinstein said.
“With the right conditions, this could take off globally in exactly the same way that Zika did.”
The research study found the virus may be able to spread through non-marsupials, which would mean it could spread to anywhere in the world.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Charles Guest last week warned Victorians to protect themselves against mosquito bites in an effort to avoid the virus.
Professor Guest said it was likely the high number of Ross River virus infections would continue into autumn.