ROSS RIVER VIRUS IS A MOSQUITO-TRANSMITTED ALPHAVIRUS: IS IT THREATENED TO ARAB COUNTRIES INCLUDING EGYPT?

ALY, NAGWA ZEIN EL ABDEEN; SHOUKRY, NAHLA M.; MORSY, TOSSON A.

doi:10.21608/jesp.2019.68057

ROSS RIVER VIRUS IS A MOSQUITO-TRANSMITTED ALPHAVIRUS: IS IT THREATENED TO ARAB COUNTRIES INCLUDING EGYPT?

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Military Medical Academy, Cairo1129, Egypt.

² Faculty of Science, Suez University, Egypt.

³ Faculty of Medicine, Ain-Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt.

10.21608/jesp.2019.68057

Abstract

Ross River virus (RRV) is mosquito-borne arboviral infection that causes fever, polyarthritis, and rash. First described in northern Australia and then, widely throughout Australia and many western South Pacific islands. It is common in the tropical coastal regions of northern Australia. RRV can be transmitted by, Aedes aegypti, Ae. camptorhynchus, Ae. vigilax, and Culex annulirostris. Kangaroos, wallabies and horses are principal vertebrate hosts. Symptoms frequently occur together but may occur in single. Arthritis in wrists, knees, ankles, and finger joints is common and frequently symmetric. Rash is usually maculopapular involving limbs and trunk. Arthralgia may persist for up to 3 months. Fatigue is the commonest symptom. Diagnosis is by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody and ELISA. A fourfold rise in HI titer is diagnostic; ≥1:1280 levels is recent infection. RRV-specific IgM persists for months after acute infection. Treatment is supportive care, analgesics, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Feasible preventive measure is avoidance of mosquito bites. Helpful interventions include use of window and door screens, mosquito repellants, and light colored clothing. Over the long-term, drainage of mosquito breeding areas in endemic areas may be helpful to control infection.