[2] Symptoms of the disease vary widely in severity, but major indicators are arthralgia, arthritis, fever, and rash.

[4] This is typically symmetrical and with acute onset, affecting the fingers, toes, ankles, wrists, back, knees and elbows.

[citation needed] Reports from the 1980s and 1990s suggested RRV infection was associated with arthralgia, fatigue and depression lasting for years.

[4] The only significant predictor of the likelihood of developing chronic symptoms is the severity of the acute illness itself.

However, in those with the most persisting symptoms (12 months or more), comorbid rheumatologic conditions and/or depression are frequently observed.

The main reservoir hosts are kangaroos and wallabies, although horses, possums and possibly birds and flying foxes play a role.

Typical advice includes use of mosquito repellent and mosquito screens, wearing light coloured clothing, and minimising standing water around homes (e.g. removing Bromeliads, plant pots, garden ponds).

[citation needed] Patients are usually managed with simple analgesics, anti-inflammatories, anti-pyretics and rest while the illness runs its course.

[4] In the tropics, Ross River fever is more prevalent during the summer/autumn "wet season", particularly January—March, when mosquito populations numbers are high.

Backwaters and Lagoons are breeding grounds for mosquitos and local medical treating facilities report higher cases than cities away from the river around the riverina areas.

[3] Infection is most common in adults aged 25–44 years old, with males and females equally affected.

[4] Ross River fever is on the Australian Department of Health and Ageing's list of notifiable diseases.