Studies of Epidemic Polyarthritis : The Significance of Three Group a Arboviruses Isolated From Mosquitoes in Queensland

Summary Epidemics of polyarthritis with rash at Cairns in 1961, and at Brisbane, in western Queensland and in western New South Wales in 1962, were associated with evidence of group A arthropod‐borne virus infection. Antibodies were detected more frequently and to higher titre against T48, a group A virus recently isolated from mosquitoes collected in North Queensland, than against Getah, Bebaru or Sindbis viruses. T48 is considered to be at least closely related to the agent of epidemic polyarthritis and may be identical with it. It will provide a more useful diagnostic test than has previously been available.