NSW Health issues urgent warning as Ross River virus detected ahead of Easter holidays
NSW’s healthiest body has issued an urgent warning for Sydneysiders to protect themselves against a “worrying” mosquito-borne virus detected ahead of the Easter holidays.
The upcoming Easter long weekend, school holidays and the latest surge in the Ross River virus in Sydney have health experts warning people to be more wary of these buzz-killing mosquitoes.
The warning was issued after virus activity was detected in the Ross River in mosquito traps recently monitored by NSW Health in parts of Greater Western Sydney.
The viral infection spread by mosquitoes currently has no cure and can cause a variety of symptoms.
“Ross River virus activity recently detected in Sydney is of particular concern due to population density, so as many people plan to be outdoors we encourage them to take the necessary precautions to avoid being bitten.” NSW Health’s chief health officer, Dr. Kerryn Coleman said:
While some infected people do not feel sick at all, others may experience long-lasting and severe symptoms such as muscle pain, fever, joint pain, swelling in the wrists, arms and knees, and fatigue.
Dr Coleman said mosquitoes were expected to persist in Sydney’s hot, wet weather conditions even as the summer season ended.
“The Easter long weekend and school holidays are a time when many people travel, spend time outdoors and engage in activities such as camping and visiting parks, which can increase the risk of exposure to mosquitoes and mosquito bites,” he said.
The worrying latest discovery comes after two more virus activity was detected in inland NSW earlier this year: Japanese encephalitis virus and Barmah Forest virus.
