Ross River Virus

Description

Ross River Virus (RRV) is a mosquito borne virus belonging to the genus Alphavirus, family Togaviridae. RRV is endemic in Australia with activity influenced by the vector species and favourable environmental conditions. Humans, horses and a variety of other animals may become infected through a bite from an infected mosquito. Human infections tend to peak in the summer and autumn months.

The significance of Ross River virus in horses remains the subject of conjecture, however it is strongly suspected that it causes clinical signs in horses like that in humans. These signs include fever, reduced appetite, muscular fasciculation’s and soreness, reluctance to move and sometimes swollen joints and glands.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and serology

Tests available

Test	Sample(s) required	Days of the week test is conducted	Turnaround time¹
Ross River VNT	Clotted blood (red top tube)	Batch tested on Thursday	1-2W

Please Note: D= Working Day(s), W= Week(s). TAT does not include weekends or public holidays.

¹Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Service.

Additional Information

Specimen requirements

Blood (without anti-coagulant)
10 ml of blood collected into a plain red top tube. Acute and convalescent samples collected 3-4 weeks apart are required for confirmation of recent infection. (Acute samples should ideally be collected within the first 3-4 days of observable disease). Submit chilled

Customer Service

Contact Customer Service for enquiries relating to testing and results, quotations and pricing, couriers, sample submission and invoicing.

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CONTACT DETAILS
Phone	1800 675 623
Email	laboratory.services@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Operating Hours	8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays) 8:30am-12:00pm Saturday (for deliveries only)
Postal Address	Private Bag 4008, Narellan NSW 2567

Quotations

For Animal export, Plant health or Veterinary quotations, please complete the online quotation request

For Edible oil & oilseed or Feed quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wagga Wagga on (02) 6938 1957

For Plant nutrition, Soil health or Water quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wollongbar on (02) 6626 1103

Submission Forms

Veterinary Specimen Advice Form

Please Note: These documents are not fully web accessible, please contact Customer Service (laboratory.services@dpi.nsw.gov.au) for more information.

Courier services and specimen delivery

For NSW submissions, please contact the relevant Customer Service team for courier account details and to order consignment notes.

For submitters outside of NSW, Couriers can be contacted directly to make bookings and arrange collection of packages at the submitters own cost.

Commercial couriers may use either road or air transport and specimens should therefore be packed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Most submission sent by veterinarians to the SVDL for testing are defined as “Biological Substance Category B” and must be packed according to the IATA packing instructions 650 (Biological Substance Category B). As requirements for transport can change, customers should consult with their transport agent to obtain current requirements.

Samples may also be hand delivered to the site during normal business hours (8.30am - 4.30pm).

Sample Type	Laboratory	Street Address
Animal (including aquatic animals)	NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL)	EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568