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.

As of 2015, it has been found only in Australia. Although there is no specific treatment for infection with the Barmah Forest virus, the disease is non-fatal and most infected people recover. The virus was discovered in 1974 in mosquitoes in the Barmah Forest in northern Victoria. The virus has gradually spread from the tropical northern areas of Australia to the coastal regions of New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia (WA). People are more likely to contract the disease in summer and autumn in Australia. In the south west of WA, however, spring has been found to have the highest incidence.