Mr Hackett said he had not travelled outside of the Kiama area during the incubation period for the debilitating condition, which is transmitted through mosquito bites.

He believes he was bitten on the lower leg a few weeks ago while out gardening in his backyard, which overlooks the Minnamurra River.

‘’I had a positive identification for Ross River fever last Thursday following blood tests, and the full set of symptoms,’’ Mr Hackett said.

‘’I contacted NSW Health on Friday and they told me they’d only had one report for the Illawara in the last seven days so it seems I’m the unlucky one.

‘’I suspect the infected mosquito to have come from the Minnamurra River which can be seen from our place.’’

The 63-year-old said he had been left ‘’incapacitated’’ by the infection during the past fortnight.

‘’I woke up on the Saturday morning (February 4) with a feeling of absolute exhaustion and later that day started to get stiffness in the joints of my hands,’’ Mr Hackett said. ‘’The following day the symptoms were worse … and by Tuesday I’d developed a rash all over my body.’’

He saw his GP that day, who quickly organised blood tests. ‘’By the Wednesday my joints were so inflamed I could barely stand,’’ he said. ‘’My hands felt like paddles at the end of my arms as I couldn’t do anything with them; my fingers were swollen like sausages.’’

Medication helped ease the symptoms, and by the end of the week his rash had also started to fade, and he’s been slowly recovering since.

‘’There was a big circle about 3cm in diameter at the bottom of my leg, which the doctor agreed was most likely the initial bite,’’ he said.

‘’Once all the blood tests came back last week, he diagnosed Ross River fever and let NSW Health know as it’s a notifiable disease. A further blood test is sent away for further confirmation.’’

Mr Hackett said he wanted to raise awareness of the virus, so people knew the risks.

‘’Friends, neighbours and members of church and clubs where I'm known are appalled that this is now a local risk,’’ he said. ‘’Most people think it’s something you only get in the tropics – not in Kiama.

‘’The best way to prevent it is to cover up and use insect repellent.’’

Record Ross River fever season in NSW

It’s been a bumper season for Ross River fever across the state, although there’s only been one confirmed case in the region.

NSW Health received 660 notifications for the mosquito-borne virus from December to February, more than four times the number identified the previous summer.

Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District public health director Curtis Gregory said the virus was not uncommon in the region.

‘’We’ve had one confirmed case this summer, and 11 probable cases which would include any recently diagnosed cases,’’ Mr Gregory said. ‘’In the 2015-16 summer season there was also one confirmed case, and six probable cases.

‘’Predominantly we see it in the Shoalhaven area, and because a lot of Illawarra residents travel up and down the coast for holidays and other activities, then they can get infected down there too.’’

Mr Gregory said the virus was spread by the female vigilax mosquito, and could not be spread person-to-person.

Children did not get symptoms and some adults were also asymptomatic, though others would have flu-like symptoms as well as swollen, stiff joints and a rash.

‘’It can be quite debilitating for some and can go on for months,’’ Mr Gregory said.

‘’There’s no vaccine for the virus – though once you’ve had it you have lifelong immunity. There’s no real treatment either, you just treat the symptoms.’’

Prevention included covering up and using repellent, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes were most active.

Mr Gregory also advised taking precautions around the home, such as ensuring flyscreens were fixed and that no stagnant water was left around in pots or gutters.

‘’It’s a summer disease,’’ he said. ‘’We see most cases from December to February.’’