Barmah Forest virus
Barmah Forest virus is an RNA virus in the genus Alphavirus. This disease was named after the Barmah Forest in the northern Victoria region of Australia, where it was first isolated in 1974. It is passed to vertebrate hosts almost exclusively by mosquitoes, the first case in humans being documented in 1986. As of 2023, it is widespread in Australia and there is some evidence of local transmission in Papua New Guinea.
| Barmah Forest virus | |
|---|---|
| Structure of Barmah Forest virus by cryo-electron microscopy. EMD-1886 | |
| Virus classification | |
| (unranked): | Virus |
| Realm: | Riboviria |
| Kingdom: | Orthornavirae |
| Phylum: | Kitrinoviricota |
| Class: | Alsuviricetes |
| Order: | Martellivirales |
| Family: | Togaviridae |
| Genus: | Alphavirus |
| Species: | Barmah Forest virus |
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 has gradually spread from the sub-tropical northern areas of Victoria 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.