Mozzie spray campaign slashes incidence of Ross River virus

ROSS River virus infections have dropped dramatically in the region in 2018 — but some patients who contracted the virus last year continue to struggle with symptoms.

The decrease follows health warnings around mosquito bites and Geelong council rolling out a significant mosquito management program following a surge in cases in 2017.

Between January 1 and Sep- tember 8, only eight cases of the virus were recorded in the Barwon South-West region, compared with 187 cases over the same period last year, Vic Health data shows.

The drop mirrors a statewide decrease.

The mosquito-borne virus can cause fever, a rash and painful joint inflammation.

Lyndelle Flintoft, 45, said the virus, which she was diagnosed with in February last year, “changed my life”.

“The fatigue is still always there, (but) I’m a lot better than I used to be . . . the pain isn’t as full on, the brain fog is gone thankfully,” said Ms Flintoft, of Bells Beach.

“When it was at its worst I couldn’t move out of bed, I couldn’t lift my arm up to get a glass of water.

“I continue to feel better every day — I look back at six months ago and go, ‘wow, I’m so much better than I was’ . . . I presume I’ll continue to get better.

“I know people who are still suffering quite badly and are in lots of pain and I have heard of people who haven’t been able to go back to work.”

The 2017 spate of infections prompted a warning from Victoria’s Chief Health Officer to more actively avoid mosquito bites last summer.

The City of Greater Geelong rolled out Victoria’s biggest mosquito management program last October, spraying the equivalent of more than 150 football fields to control mosquito populations.

Barwon Health infectious disease physician James Pollard said there was “seasonal variation in Ross River virus cases, as it is spread by mosquitoes”. Any such variance or measures that reduced mosquito numbers could lower new case rates.

Dr Pollard said a “small number of people will experience long-lasting symptoms”.

“They should see their doctor for further assessment in order to rule out other causes for their symptoms,” he said.