A comparison of the diseases caused by Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus

Abstract

Barmah Forest virus (BFV) and Ross River virus (RRV) are mosquito-borne viruses with similar vectors and environmental requirements. They cause diseases characterised by arthralgia, arthritis and myalgia, often accompanied by fever and rash. Arthritis is more common and more prominent in RRV disease and rash is more common and florid with BFV infection, although the diseases cannot be reliably distinguished by their clinical symptoms. Diagnosis is based on serological tests and a definite diagnosis of recent infection requires the demonstration of rising titres of IgG. Arthralgia, myalgia and lethargy may continue for at least six months in up to half of patients with RRV, but in only about 10% of patients with BFV. Both diseases are managed symptomatically. (MJA 1998; 169: 159-163)

Spatiotemporal variation of notified Barmah Forest virus infections in Queensland, Australia, 1993 – 2001

“…It was first reported as a cause of clinical disease in NSW in 1988 ) and it has only been reported in Australia (Lindsay et al 1995). Although the clinical features of BFv disease are similar to those caused by Ross River virus, there is little difficulty in differentiating these two viruses in serologic tests (Flexman et al 1998;Hawkes et al 1988). Diagnosis is based on serological tests and a definite diagnosis of recent infection requires the demonstration of rising titres of IgG.…”

“…Diagnosis is based on serological tests and a definite diagnosis of recent infection requires the demonstration of rising titres of IgG. Most cases can recover in weeks, but arthralgia, myalgia and lethargy may continue for at least six months in about 10% of patients with BFv (Flexman et al 1998). The first outbreak of BFv disease was reported at Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory in 1992, which occurred concurrently with an outbreak of Ross River virus infection (Merianos et al 1992).…”

“…Barmah Forest virus (BFv) is an emerging mosquito-borne alphavirus in Australia, which causes a disease characterized by arthralgia, arthritis and myalgia, often accompanied by fever and rash in humans (Flexman et al 1998). The disease is very similar to epidemic polyarthritis caused by Ross River virus, another mosquito-borne alphavirus.…”

El Niño Southern Oscillation and Ross River Virus Outbreaks in Australia

“…Ross River virus (RR) is the most common human arbovirus infection in Australia, and produces a prolonged and debilitating polyarthritis among adults (Flexman et al 1998). In recent decades, outbreaks have increased throughout the country and notably into urban populations (Kelly-Hope et al 2004).…”

Ross River virus infection in a traveller returning from northern Australia

“…RRV infection may resemble Barmah Forest virus disease, another arboviral infection conWned to Australia. In the latter, rash is more common and Xorid, whereas arthritis is more common in RRV infections [14]. Further diVerential diagnoses include dengue fever, Chikungunya, Sindbis, and Kunjin virus infection.…”