Ross River Virus Climate Change
Climate Change and the Ross River Virus
Climate change may be a politically contentious issue, but the scientific community has reached a consensus: it is real and the effects could be disastrous (Hughes, 2003). Within the next century, there will be changes in rainfall patterns, rising sea-levels and significant temperature increases, as well as the impact these conditions will have on flora, fauna and disease transmission (Hughes, 2003). Of particular concern to Australia is how these changes will affect the transmission of Ross River Virus (RRV) and the survival of its mosquito vectors. Numerous scientific studies have shown how different species of mosquitoes worldwide are adapting to changing environmental climates, with several examining …show more content…
Now classified as the most common arboviral disease within the nation, Ross River Virus (RRV) is a mosquito-borne arbovirus that’s indigenous to Australia (Harley, Sleigh, & Ritchie, 2001). Key outbreaks of disease that led to the discovery of the RRV isolate included: 1928, Narrandera and Hay, New South Wales, an outbreak of acute febrile arthritis; 1943, outbreaks of arthralgia and arthritis were then recorded in parts of Northern Territory, Queensland, and Papua New Guinea. As these outbreaks recorded similar symptoms, it was hypothesised to be the same condition and it was then that the term ‘polyarthritis’ was created for the disease. In 1956, further serological testing furthered the understanding of the causative agent to be an unknown alphavirus species (Russell, …show more content…
The majority of cases do not in fact display any visual symptoms, therefore, with the spread of RRV increasing due to climate change, it may be difficult to discern whether the virus has invaded a new area. However, in cases where symptoms are recognisable, they may persist for up to 6 weeks, or a year or two in most incidences, and 10% of the time the virus can lead to ongoing depression and fatigue (Barber et al. 2009). These symptoms may include muscle aches, fatigue, rashes, swollen lymph nodes with the most frequently occurring symptom being debilitating joint pain. The joints most affected are wrists, knees, ankles, fingers, elbows, shoulders and jaw, similar to arthritis (Barber et al.
Climate change may be a politically contentious issue, but the scientific community has reached a consensus: it is real and the effects could be disastrous (Hughes, 2003). Within the next century, there will be changes in rainfall patterns, rising sea-levels and significant temperature increases, as well as the impact these conditions will have on flora, fauna and disease transmission (Hughes, 2003). Of particular concern to Australia is how these changes will affect the transmission of Ross River Virus (RRV) and the survival of its mosquito vectors. Numerous scientific studies have shown how different species of mosquitoes worldwide are adapting to changing environmental climates, with several examining …show more content…
Now classified as the most common arboviral disease within the nation, Ross River Virus (RRV) is a mosquito-borne arbovirus that’s indigenous to Australia (Harley, Sleigh, & Ritchie, 2001). Key outbreaks of disease that led to the discovery of the RRV isolate included: 1928, Narrandera and Hay, New South Wales, an outbreak of acute febrile arthritis; 1943, outbreaks of arthralgia and arthritis were then recorded in parts of Northern Territory, Queensland, and Papua New Guinea. As these outbreaks recorded similar symptoms, it was hypothesised to be the same condition and it was then that the term ‘polyarthritis’ was created for the disease. In 1956, further serological testing furthered the understanding of the causative agent to be an unknown alphavirus species (Russell, …show more content…
The majority of cases do not in fact display any visual symptoms, therefore, with the spread of RRV increasing due to climate change, it may be difficult to discern whether the virus has invaded a new area. However, in cases where symptoms are recognisable, they may persist for up to 6 weeks, or a year or two in most incidences, and 10% of the time the virus can lead to ongoing depression and fatigue (Barber et al. 2009). These symptoms may include muscle aches, fatigue, rashes, swollen lymph nodes with the most frequently occurring symptom being debilitating joint pain. The joints most affected are wrists, knees, ankles, fingers, elbows, shoulders and jaw, similar to arthritis (Barber et al.