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When reading the interesting article entitled ``Hot Time for Hot Labs'' by Edward McSweegan (ASM News, November 1999, p. 743-746), I noticed that the last paragraph on page 745 says ``. . .deadly diseases caused by Hendra and Ross River viruses.'' Ross River virus infects a large number of people in Australia each year and, although it certainly may cause an unpleasant illness, I'm unaware of any fatalities directly due to this virus. I suspect the author may have meant to refer to the less-common mosquito-borne encephalitis viruses, particularly Murray Valley encephalitis virus and Japanese encephalitis virus. I'm concerned that the statement contained in this article may cause concern among Australian residents and visitors as Ross River virus occurs in some of the most popular areas for tourists and for conferences. Further information may be found in J. S. Mackenzie and D. W. Smith, ``Mosquito-Borne Viruses and Epidemic Polyarthritis,'' Med. J. Aust. 164:90-92, 1996.

David W. Smith
Division of Microbiology & Infectious Diseases
PathCentre
|Nedlands
Australia