Mozzie alert as Ross River virus reported in record numbers

Entomologists have detected the Ross River virus in a record-breaking number of tests this summer, sparking a warning for Aussies to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

The record-breaking number of Ross River virus detections coincides with a high number of cases among Queenslanders, Queensland Health says.

Ross River virus is spread by mosquitoes to humans, with symptoms including swollen and painful joints and rashes.

Most people who catch it will recover within a few weeks, but some experience joint pain and fatigue for months.

Acting chief health officer Dr Catherine McDougall said between last November and April this year, samples from more than 1225 mosquito traps were tested for Ross River virus, with 116 traps testing positive.

“This is the highest number of tests returning a positive result for the virus in a single season since the surveillance program started in 2016,” Dr McDougall said.

Dr McDougall said medical entomologists from Queensland Health found a significant increase in the number of mosquito samples testing positive for the virus in early February, which provided strong evidence of increased virus activity and warned of an increased risk of cases in humans.

“This is exactly what we saw – with cases starting to rapidly spike among Queenslanders by late February,” Dr McDougall said. “This year to date, 2065 cases of Ross River virus have been detected in humans – the highest number of cases recorded since the 2019-20 season. Cases peaked during the second week of March with 333 weekly cases recorded.”

Dr McDougall said the majority of cases were recorded in the state’s southeast.