Victorians suspected to have been struck by the Ross River virus has jumped by another 231 people in the past week.
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The number of notifications since January 1, which includes confirmed and suspected cases pending the outcome of tests, has increased from 1012 last week to 1243, the Health Department has reported.
The new figures show increases in reports of the mosquito-borne virus in all Victorian regions and corners of Melbourne. Most infections are believed to have been acquired in regional Victoria.
The Department has previously warned that six people were believed to have become infected within Melbourne - in Casey and Frankston - rather than in regional Victoria where mosquitoes are known to carry the virus.
However, last week Fairfax Media reported a doctor who had not travelled outside the city was confident he was infected in the Eltham, Lower Plenty, areas where animals that carry the virus - Kangaroos and horses - are found.
Victoria's chief health officer has advised that most people infected with Ross River will experience only mild temporary symptoms - which can involve a rash - but for some people symptoms including serious joint pain, swelling and fatigue can last a year or longer.
Fairfax Media has been contacted by people struck by the virus, including Rosa Zull, who can't take the cap off her toothpaste due to wrist pain, and Brendan Shaw who says walking has become too hard since the ache spread to both his legs.
There is no treatment – except medication to minimise joint pain and swelling – and no vaccine available.
The best defence remains avoiding mosquito bites.
A breakdown of the data shows a jump of 38 suspected cases in the Loddon Mallee region which has reached 276. In Hume suspected cases have grown by 54 to 383.
Notifications also increased to 119 in Barwon South West, up from 87 last week, Gippsland, which has recorded 44 suspected cases, and the Grampians, which jumped by 42 notifications to 131 during the week.
Across all Melbourne regions there was an additional 62 notifications, with the largest increase - 19 more notifications - in Melbourne's north.
The advice for protecting against mosquito bites includes covering up with loose-fitting clothing, using insect repellent on exposed skin and not leaving stagnant water around the home.
More information is available at www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/beat-the-bite.
- The Age
