Ross River 'could become global epidemic' according to : News Online from Australia and the World

Georgie Moore Australian Associated PressThe Ross River virus risks becoming a global epidemic on the same scale as the Zika virus, Australian researchers say. "There are tourists travelling all the time from Australia, some of whom will carry the (Ross River) virus. The findings on Ross River come after blood tests from American Samoans who had never left home revealed exposure to the virus. If that can start an epidemic in another country, that can take off and become a global epidemic." An Australian National University and University of Adelaide study has found that Ross River transmitted by mosquitoes could be carried by all mammals and not just kangaroos and wallabies as previously thought.




Courtesy of Dr. Emily FliesAustralia's Ross River Virus (RRV) could be the next mosquito-borne global epidemic according to a new research study led by the University of Adelaide and the Australian National University. If RRV can circulate in non-marsupials in the South Pacific, then it can find a home anywhere in the world. But without marsupials, the epidemic burned itself out the following year - or so it was thought. The 1979 epidemic in the Pacific Islands Countries and Territories was the first time that RRV had 'escaped' from its marsupial reservoir. "Isolation of the virus from non-marsupials will provide us with definitive evidence that RRV can become endemic globally."

'Global epidemic' of Ross River fever 'could be as bad as Zika', scientists warn

The Ross River virus risks becoming a global epidemic on the same scale as the Zika virus, Australian researchers say. Photo: Gabriele Charotte"There are tourists travelling all the time from Australia, some of whom will carry the [Ross River] virus. SHAREShare on Facebook SHAREShare on Twitter TWEETLink Mosquitoes spread the Ross River virus. SHAREShare on Facebook SHAREShare on Twitter TWEETLink Scientists say the Ross River virus can be transmitted via placental mammals as well as marsupials. AdvertisementThe findings on Ross River come after blood tests from American Samoans who had never left home revealed exposure to the virus.



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