Mosquitoes and the risk of Ross River virus along the Georges River Dr. Cameron Webb Department of Medical Entomology Marie Bashir Institute of Infectious Disease & Biosecurity University of Sydney & Pathology West ICPMR Westmead Westmead Hospital, Westmead NSW 2145
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW), 31 December 1927 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW), 10 March 1944
Is climate change to blame for outbreaks of mosquito-borne disease? http://theconversation.com/is-climate-change-to-blame-for-outbreaks-of-mosquito-borne-disease-39176
Why do mosquitoes bite? Female mosquitoes need protein for eggs Birds, Mammals, Reptiles, Frogs, Humans Some vectors specific or generalist Why do they bite me? Carbon dioxide (breath) Smelly skin (>300 chemicals!) Heat, colour, cosmetics etc Bites & lumps (allergic reaction) Everyone has an individual profile
Source: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) *2015 data includes January, February and March
Most common in Australia (~5,000 cases/pa) Costs approximately $4.5million p.a. Encroaching into metropolitan regions? Symptoms: Not fatal but rash, fever, joint pain, polyarthritis Complex ecology, in different regions: Seasonal & geographic variation Different vectors Different hosts Ross River virus What is Ross River virus? http://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-ross-river-virus-24630
Photo: Stephen Doggett (Medical Entomology, Pathology West ICPMR Westmead) The Asian Tiger Mosquito is a severe day-biting species and vector of dengue and chikungunya viruses
NSW Arbovirus Surveillance Program
Sweet new approaches to surveillance Laboratory and field techniques under review to improve effectiveness of surveillance New technologies often require trade offs with traditional technologies and require assessment Toi C.S. (2013) The reality of new technologies in arbovirus and mosquito surveillance in NSW. The Broad Street Pump 34: 4-6
Mosquito-borne disease risk in urban estuaries Parramatta River estuary [2 RRV detections & no confirmed RRV cases] Georges River estuary [>30 RRV detections & confirmed RRV cases]
Abundance of mosquitoes at Georges River surveillance sites 2014-2015 3000 2500 2000 1500 Backyard Mosquitoes Estuarine Mosquitoes Freshwater Mosquitoes 1000 500 0
Sample site Mosquitoes Ross River virus Illawong Arbovirus detections at Georges River 2013-2014 Aedes notoscriptus Aedes vigilax Arbovirus detections at Georges River 2014-2015 Sample site Mosquitoes Ross River virus Illawong FTA only Yes Barmah Forest virus Alfords Point Aedes vigilax Yes Yes Lugarno FTA only Yes Barmah Forest virus Other Picnic Point Aedes multiplex Yes Yes Yes (EHV) Deepwater Aedes vigilax Yes Yes Other Yes Yes Yes (STRV) Alfords Point Aedes vigilax Yes Yes Yes (STRV) Lugarno Aedes notoscriptus Yes Yes Yes (STRV) Deepwater Aedes vigilax Yes Yes
Does wetland rehabilitation need mosquito control? https://cameronwebb.wordpress.com/2015/04/03/does-wetland-rehabilitation-need-mosquito-control/
The first line of defence against mosquito bites is personal protection measures; most commonly topical insect repellents, insecticides and bed nets
Regional Approaches to Mosquito Risk
Summary Wetlands of Georges River support diverse range of pest and non-pest mosquitoes Saltmarsh mosquito (Aedes vigilax) is most important Backyard mosquito (Aedes notoscriptus) important Wetlands and wildlife ensure annual health risks posed by Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses Mosquito control logistically difficult Community education critical Gaps in knowledge provide research opportunities Regional cooperative management approach
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