ARBOVIRUSES OF COASTAL SOUTH‐EASTERN AUSTRALIA

Abstract

During investigations of epidemic polyarthritis at Nelson Bay, New South Wales, 12 strains of Ross River virus, the causative agent, were recovered from pools of mosquitoes. In addition, the mosquito pools yielded 9 strains of the flavivirus Edge Hill, 4 strains of a bunyavirus, Gan Gan, 1 strain of an orbivirus Tilligerry, and 1 strain of an ungrouped probable arbovirus, Yacaaba. The latter 3 viruses were found to be antigenically distinct from previously recorded arboviruses. A case of epidemic polyarthritis probably contracted at Bawley Point, approximately 400 kilometres south of Nelson Bay on the south coast of New South Wales, is recorded. Mosquitoes collected in the nearby Termeil State Forest one year later yielded a strain of Ross River virus and 5 strains of a previously undescribed ungrouped togavirus, Termeil. The extent of arboviral activity in temperate coastal areas of south-eastern Australia was unexpected.