The debilitating tropical disease of Ross River fever tended to thrive just in tropical areas of North Queensland.  There is now a significant outbreak in the South East of Queensland, which will also inevitably edge south into NSW.

The mosquito borne disease could move down through coastal areas of NSW.  The virus needs mosquitos and be close to host animals as it is zoonotic and is transferred by the mosquitoes from animals to humans in the mosquito saliva.

Latest information on outbreaks or treatment is available from the Queensland Health website and the NSW Health website

Image: Image: Shutterstock- khlungcenter

Produced By: Roderick Chambers

Featured In Story: Dr Cameron Webb Clinical Lecturer of Medicine, Westmead Clinical School Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research at the University of Sydney

First aired on The Wire, Monday 7 February 2022