Zoonoses Trivia

1. Ross River fever is classed as what type of disease?

From Quiz Ross River Fever

Answer: tropical

Tropical diseases are diseases that are prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. Ross River fever is found in mainland Australia and Tasmania, the islands of New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, the Cook Islands, New Caledonia and several other smaller islands in the South Pacific. The same disease is called "Sagiyama" virus in Japan.

From Quiz Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite!

Answer: Bad air

This term comes from the belief that malaria was caught by breathing in the "bad air" from nearby swamps. This would have appeared to be true as swamps acted as mass breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Malaria, along with yellow fever, dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases are often said to be transmitted by the "bite" of the insect, however, the mosquito does not technically bite, but instead stabs/pierces the skin with its proboscis. Moreover, it is only the female mosquitoes which transmit diseases to humans, as they, unlike the males, require protein from blood in order to produce eggs.

From Quiz Ross River Fever

Answer: mosquito

Mosquitoes can act as vectors for many disease-causing viruses. Infected mosquitoes carry the virus from person to person without exhibiting symptoms themselves. As the Ross River fever virus is is transmitted by mosquitoes, it is considered an "arbovirus". The main reservoir hosts for the virus are kangaroos and wallabies, although many other native and introduced species also act as reservoir hosts.

From Quiz Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite!

Answer: Freshwater snails

Parasitic schistosoma enter a person's bloodstream after burrowing into the skin. The parasites migrate through the body and many of the vital organs, before reaching the liver where they will mature. Once matured, they will move to either the small intestine or the bladder, where they will produce hundreds of eggs per day whilst in their human host (up to 20 years). Some of the eggs will remain in the body, causing damage to vital organs, but some will leave in the faeces and urine of the person, which will eventually be returned to the water in which people bathe. These eggs will enter freshwater snails and will grow into the parasites capable of infecting humans, thus continuing the cycle.

From Quiz Ross River Fever

Answer: joint pain

Joint pain, or arthritis, is the main symptom of Ross River fever. Other symptoms include a rash on the arms and legs, which can occur roughly ten days after the arthritis begins. Lymph nodes may enlarge, most commonly in the arm pits or groin. There can also be flu like symptoms, such as fever, chills and headache. About 30% of children who catch Ross River fever display no symptoms at all.

From Quiz Diseases Transmitted By Animals

Answer: Lyme disease

An individual with Lyme disease may be asymptomatic. Other victims may have flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache and muscle ache initially. Around the site of the tick bite, a red, ring-shaped rash which is referred to as a "bull's eye rash" is usually present. If not diagnosed and treated early, complications develop, and other symptoms present. These include: arthritis, enlarged, painful lymph nodes, neurological signs such as facial paralysis, stiff neck and altered mental status. A rash may be seen on other areas of the body apart from the site where the victim was bitten. Itching is also common.

From Quiz Disease Carriers

Answer: Plasmodium

Four species of this parasite cause malaria: P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae.

From Quiz Ross River Fever

Answer: blood test

The time between catching the disease and experiencing symptoms is usually about one to two weeks. Blood tests to diagnose Ross River fever are taken within seven days of detection. Tests may either look for simply elevated antibodies (infection), or specific antibodies for the virus. To completely test for the virus, a second blood test must be conducted ten to fourteen days after the first. The patient will then be declared positive if there is a significant elevation of the antibody count.

From Quiz Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite!

Answer: The African eye worm

Loa loa actually causes subcutaneous filariasis, with symptoms limited to localised swelling and pain. Though called the African eye worm, this parasite is actually a roundworm, and can live in several parts of the body, not just the eye. Lymphatic filariasis is another variant and can result in elephantiasis.

From Quiz Disease Carriers

Answer: Tsetse fly

The presence of this fly greatly hindered the spread of agriculture in many areas of Africa, until the development of DDT.

From Quiz Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite!

Answer: Chagas disease

After ingesting the parasite (Trypanosoma cruzi) from an infected human's blood, an assassin bug will bite another host. However, rather than passing the parasite directly into the host's bloodstream, the bug will defecate near to the site of entry, and the faeces will infect the wound. The characteristic swelling of the eyelids is known as Romana's sign. Swelling can also affect internal organs, posing a potentially fatal threat.

From Quiz Disease Carriers

Answer: Trypanosoma

Sleeping sickness is more commonly known as Trypanosomiasis.

From Quiz Ross River Fever

Answer: 1928

There were several outbreaks before the virus that causes Ross River fever was identified. At this time it was called "epidemic polyarthritis". The first known outbreak in 1928 was in Narrandera and Hay area in New South Wales, Australia. In 1943, in the Northern Territory, Queensland and the Schouten Islands, off the northern coast of Papua New Guinea experienced a major epidemic. The largest known outbreak of the virus was in 1979-1980 in the Western Pacific. The outbreak involved the islands of Fiji, Samoa, the Cook Islands, and New Caledonia.

From Quiz Diseases Transmitted By Animals

Answer: Pigs

Symptoms of swine influenza are similar to those of the seasonal influenza - fever, headache, cough, runny nose, and sometimes nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. People who come into direct contact with pigs, for example farmers and pork processors as well as kids who play with these animals, are susceptible to the disease. Once a person has the swine flu virus, it can be transmitted from human to human through coughing, sneezing etc. The disease is not transmitted by eating pork or other products made from pigs.

From Quiz Disease Carriers

Answer: Entamoeba histolytica

The most common means of infection is by eating food or drinking water contaminated by faeces from an infected human.

From Quiz Ross River Fever

Answer: Ross River, Queensland

In 1959, a new alphavirus was identified in mosquito samples trapped at the Ross River, near Townsville, in Queensland. Further serological testing showed that patients who had suffered "epidemic polyarthritis" in Queensland had antibodies to the virus. The new virus was named Ross River virus, and the disease Ross River fever.

From Quiz Diseases Transmitted By Animals

Answer: Rabies

The rabies virus affects the brain and spinal cord resulting in symptoms such as anxiety, confusion, paralysis, difficulty sleeping or swallowing and agitation. Symptoms start with manifestations such as fever, headache and malaise, then quickly progress to include neurological signs. Once symptoms manifest, it is usually too late for treatment. Animals infected with the rabies virus may have the following manifestations: drooling excessively, aggression, staggering, seizures and increased sensitivity to light. If bitten by an animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical advice. One should avoid leaving food to attract wild animals and ensure garbage bins are covered and secure. Avoid petting wild animals or touching dead ones. Get pets vaccinated.

From Quiz Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite!

Answer: Because untreated patients can enter comas from which they can never be woken

Only a small proportion of tsetse flies are carriers of these parasites (Trypanosoma brucei) and the disease itself progresses very slowly. The symptoms (fever and headaches), however, gradually intensify as the parasite reproduces in the host's bloodstream. The disease is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa and, if left untreated, usually proves to be fatal.

From Quiz Ross River Fever

Answer: no specific treatment

There is no specific treatment for Ross River virus infection. Only the symptoms can be treated. The treating doctor will be able to advise you on medications that will help ease the discomfort of the symptoms. Patients are given simple analgesics, anti-inflammatories, anti-pyretics and rest while the illness runs its course.

From Quiz Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite!

Answer: Inflammation of the eye tissue

Inflammation of the cornea (known as keratitis) is a common symptom of onchocerciasis and after the swelling subsides, the front of the eye is often left opaque, blinding the sufferer. Another symptom of this disease is depigmentation of the skin, giving sufferers a spotted appearance.

From Quiz Disease Carriers

Answer: Aedes mosquito

Those mozzies again!

From Quiz Ross River Fever

Answer: continued pain and stiffness

Debilitating pain and stiffness can last well after the initial illness has passed. The main predictor of the likelihood of developing chronic symptoms is the severity of the acute illness itself. Studies have suggested that a Ross River fever infection was associated with arthralgia, fatigue and depression lasting for years. People with persistent symptoms aren't sick all the time. However, symptoms may recur suddenly and without warning. Again, medical professionals can only treat these symptoms.

From Quiz Diseases Transmitted By Animals

Answer: Through the bite of an infected mosquito.

The disease is transmitted through the bite of the female Aedes aegypti and other mosquitoes. It is common in tropical and subtropical countries. Most cases are mild with symptoms of fever, headache, back ache and nausea and vomiting. In some cases the disease goes into a hemorrhagic phase with liver involvement. Symptoms of this serious phase include jaundice, abdominal pain, bleeding from the eyes, mouth , stomach and lower gut. Prevention entails vaccination, use of mosquito nets and insect repellent.

From Quiz Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite!

Answer: By drinking contaminated water

Whilst the small crustaceans are killed by stomach acid, the guinea worms are able to survive and breed within their new human host. The parasites reproduce sexually and, as the smaller males die after mating, the females remain in the body for around another year, before emerging from the host's skin. The sufferer may feel nauseated, but the main trauma is the actual emergence, which is said to feel like an intense burning sensation.

From Quiz Disease Carriers

Answer: Deer mouse

Spread by contact with the mouse's droppings.

From Quiz Ross River Fever

Answer: Barmah Forest virus

Barmah Forest virus causes similar symptoms to Ross River fever. There is no specific treatment for the viral infection and the disease is non-fatal. The virus was discovered in 1974 in mosquitoes in the Barmah Forest in northern Victoria. 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.

From Quiz Diseases Transmitted By Animals

Answer: Mad cow disease

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) affects mainly cattle. The disease is transmitted to humans who eat infected meat. It affects mainly the brain and spinal cord.

From Quiz Disease Carriers

Answer: Simulium blackfly

This disease is found primarily in Africa. The flies are found near rapidly flowing rivers and bite by day.

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Last Updated Nov 29 2025 5:47 AM

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