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Telephone: 0418 932
798 ABN 26 201 855 9000 |
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The Val Lishman Health Research Foundation Inc
is pleased to be involved in supporting research focusing on
Ross River Disease (Phase 1)
Together we can contribute to providing better health for the South West
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The Foundation promotes Ross River Disease Research in the South West.
A Ph.D fellowship named "The South West Cities and Shires Ross River Disease Research Fellowship" funded by donations from 14 Cities and Shires of the South West was established at the University of Western Australia in 2002. All other research costs for Phase 1 were met by the Western Australian Health Department and the University of Western Australia. Mr C Gordon commenced his three-year research fellowship in March 2002. The Scholar’s supervisors for the Ph.D degree were: Dr Cheryl Johansen, Dr David Smith, Prof Geoffrey Shellam and Dr Annette Broome.
The participating Cities and Shires were: Augusta-Margaret River, Bunbury, Busselton, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Collie, Capel, Dardanup, Donnybrook-Balingup, Harvey, Manjimup, Mandurah, Murray, Rockingham and Waroona.
Why South West research on Ross River Disease?
The South West has over five times the state average infection rate for Ross River Disease. With a unique combination of mosquitoes and host animals, research elsewhere would not be applicable or relevant for the South West.
Ross river has most impact on healthy people in mid-life, and can have devastating consequences, especially for the one in ten that suffer debilitating symptoms for years.
Epidemics of Ross River Disease are a potential threat to Real estate value and tourism.
About Ross River Disease in the South West.
The virus is permanently established in the South West. There are sporadic cases throughout most years with epidemics occuring three to four yearly during August to April. Outbreaks follow warm, wet conditions and high tides. Cases are concentrated near coastal salt marsh and adjacent wetlands. Inland outbreaks are less frequent, but can affect a higher proportion of the population.
Since the disease became notifiable, notifications have increased and moved inland. Some of this may reflect heightened awareness and improved reporting , but the impression remains of an extending area affected.
Prevention and Treatment
There is no vaccine, and little prospect for one. Ross River Disease exists only in Australia. Our population is too small to meet the high cost of vaccine safety requirements.Treatment is limited to easing the symptoms of the illness.
Control of mosquitoes
After WWII, an attempt to eliminate mosquitoes world–wide to wipe out malaria was a disaster. Surviving insecticide-resistant mosquitoes rapidly replaced the insects killed. Intermittent targeted control before and during high risk periods is more sustainable and reduces infection rate. Control is usually through larvicides applied to swamps. "Fogging" for adults is less effective as they disperse so quickly, and fogging kills useful insects too.
Cost of Ross River Disease
Ross River Disease is not fatal, but one in ten patients are debilitated by recurring symptoms beyond two years. Lassitude, depression, recurring joint pain and swelling are the main symptoms. Economic disruption is severe for individuals, as most sufferers are in the prime of life.
Medical bills and social cost for the individual affected can be high, but it is not always appreciated that Local Government and State Government through the Health Department bear a large cost burden for surveillance and treatment of wetlands to control infection rates. It is in this area that was selected for research. Work commenced in March 2002 and was completed in 2005.
Research Outcomes: Principal findings:
- Ross River Disease epidemics continue to affect successively larger numbers of patients
- Vertebrate host immunity has successfully predicted a human epidemic
- Average age of the mosquito population may be of additional significance in predicting Ross River Disease epidemics
- Epidemics may commence in localised foci, which if intensively managed, may reduce spread to other regions
- The small window of opportunity for optimal fogging adult mosquitoes during diurnal activity has been defined
- The main mosquito carrier of Ross River Disease in coastal regions of the South West will frequently travel 3km and as far as 6km from breeding sites in search of a blood meal
- A 1-3 km barrier zone between wetlands and human habitation is advisable unless effective and environmentally acceptable mosquito control is possible.
Some of the research findings have already been incorporated into Department of Health programs to forewarn major Ross River Virus epidemics, and into Local Government mosquito control programs in affected areas. Building on this new ability to predict epidemics, improved effectiveness of public information campaigns may be the next research focus.
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