Barmah Forest Virus

Barmah Forest virus is an RNA virus in the Alphavirus genus. This disease was named after the location in Northern Victoria where it was first isolated in 1974. The first documented case in humans was in 1986. The virus can only be transmitted to humans by bites from infected mosquitoes. The Barmah Forest virus causes similar symptoms as the Ross River virus, although they usually persist longer in persons infected with the latter. Most people may recover within a few weeks, but the minority can continue to have the symptoms for many months, and in the most severe cases, up to a year. A full recovery will be expected.