ROSS River cases have more than doubled this month causing health officials to voice their concerns for the region.<\/p>\n
A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson has confirmed since December 6 there has been 50 infected residents across the Surf Coast Shire and 44 in the Greater Geelong region.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month it was reported that the Surf Coast had eight cases of the mosquito-borne disease while the City of Geelong had five.<\/p>\n
The cooler, wet summer has created the ideal conditions for the virus with expectations that cases will continue to increase.<\/p>\n
This year’s recent surge exceeds last year’s annual tally of 18 and 16 cases reported in the Surf Coast and Geelong areas, respectively.<\/p>\n
Ocean Grove woman Ral Turner said she began to lose mobility before her Ross River case was confirmed late last year.<\/p>\n
Ms Turner had been experiencing extreme joint pain and fatigue but said she never considered the virus until her results came in.<\/p>\n
“I live in a two-storey house and I couldn’t get up and down the stairs,” she said.<\/p>\n
“I don’t even remember getting bitten or ever being itchy.”<\/p>\n
Despite having a high pain-tolerance, Ms Turner has said she is in constant pain in her feet, hips, wrists and left thumb.<\/p>\n
“I was na\u00efve to this so I am glad there is more awareness now,” she said.<\/p>\n
Over the Christmas period an advisory was issued following the confirmation that case numbers were on the rise which have since exploded as more people head to the infected areas.<\/p>\n
Last month the Deputy Chief Health Officer (Communicable Diseases), Dr Annaliese van Diemen, confirmed the virus had been detected among mosquitos located in Anglesea.<\/p>\n
“As COVID-19 restrictions ease, there are greater opportunities to travel around Victoria and enjoy increased outdoor activity,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Taking measures to avoid mosquito bites is therefore a critical step to protect against diseases.”<\/p>\n
The virus, which is typically detected by joint pain and fatigue, can cause serious illness with symptoms appearing between three to 21 days after the initial bite.<\/p>\n
Department of Infectious Diseases director, Professor Eugene Athan said people need to make a conscious effort to stay protected from mosquitos when out and about across these areas.<\/p>\n
“People should limit outdoor activity if lots of mosquitos are about, wear light-coloured, loose fitting clothes, and use effective mosquito repellents containing DEET or Picaridin,” he said.<\/p>\n
If you are showing symptoms of Ross River Virus, you are urged to contact your GP immediately.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ROSS River cases have more than doubled this month causing health officials to voice their concerns for the region. A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson has confirmed since December 6 there has been 50 infected residents across the Surf Coast Shire and 44 in the Greater Geelong region. Earlier this month it was […]<\/p>\n