Volume 25, Number 10—October 2019
Synopsis
Localized Outbreaks of Epidemic Polyarthritis among Military Personnel Caused by Different Sublineages of Ross River Virus, Northeastern Australia, 2016–2017
Wenjun Liu
, Joanne R. Kizu, Luke R. Le Grand, Christopher G. Moller, Tracy L. Carthew, Ian R. Mitchell, Ania J. Gubala, and John G. Aaskov
, Joanne R. Kizu, Luke R. Le Grand, Christopher G. Moller, Tracy L. Carthew, Ian R. Mitchell, Ania J. Gubala, and John G. Aaskov
Table
Epidemiologic characteristics of RRV outbreaks among ADF personnel during and after training in SWBTA, northeastern Australia, 2016–2017*
| Characteristic | Outbreak |
|
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2017 | |
| Total no. reported EPA cases | 44 | 43 |
| % RRV IgM antibody–reactive cases/tested cases | 100 (28/28) | 80.6 (25/31) |
| No. participants who consented | 21 | 17 |
| Average age, y (range) | ND | 27 (20–45) |
| Sex, no. | ND | 16 M, 1 F |
| History of arbovirus infection before this infection | 0 | 0 |
| Outdoor training experience in SWBTA |
100 (21) |
100 (17) |
| Clinical symptoms | ||
| Severe headache | 28.6 (6/21) | 41.2 (7/17) |
| Nausea | 4.8 (1/21) | 17.7 (3/17) |
| Rash | 9.5 (2/21) | 64.7 (11/17) |
| Fever, chills, or sweats | 33.3 (7/21) | 47.1 (8/17) |
| Arthralgia | 66.7 (14/21) | 88.2 (15/17) |
| Muscle pain | 71.4 (15/21) | 88.2 (15/17) |
| Fatigue | 71.4 (15/21) | 88.2 (15/17) |
| Loss of appetite | 52.4 (11/21) | 70.1 (12/17) |
| Stiff neck | 38.1 (8/21) | 64.7 (11/17) |
| Mosquito bite experiences |
100 (21/21) |
100 (17/17) |
| Personal protection measures | ||
| Mosquito repellents | 100 (21/21) | 100 (17/17) |
| Trousers and long-sleeve shirts | 85.7 (18/21) | 47.1 (8/17) |
| Slept under ADF-issued mosquito nets | 57.1 (12/21) | 82.4 (14/17) |
| Awareness of permethrin uniform and bed net treatment | 100 (21/21) | 100 (17/17) |
| Use of ADF-recommended permethrin treatment | 0 (0/21) | 0 (0/17) |
*Data are % (no. positive/total no.) unless otherwise indicated. ADF, Australian Defence Force; EPA, epidemic polyarthritis; ND, not done; RRV, Ross River virus; SWBTA, Shoalwater Bay Training Area.
Page created: September 17, 2019
Page updated: September 17, 2019
Page reviewed: September 17, 2019
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