Asian tiger mosquito - Update one
7 March 2007
The purpose of this stakeholder update is to inform you and keep you as up-to-date as possible on a MAF Biosecurity New Zealand incursion response Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) at the Ports of Auckland. A single mosquito was intercepted on the 1 March 2007 in a Ministry of Health exotic mosquito surveillance trap near Shed 8. The species identification was confirmed on March 6.
We intend issuing these updates as regularly as we can.
At this stage, only one male mosquito has been detected, but MAF Biosecurity New Zealand is treating this incursion seriously because the mosquito is a known carrier of several serious human diseases, including Dengue Fever, Yellow Fever and several types of encephalitis.
The initial focus of the response is to determine if there is a population of Asian Tiger Mosquitoes established in the area. If a population is confirmed further steps will be taken to contain, control and eliminate this species.
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand is encouraging members of the public in the Ports of Auckland/downtown Auckland area to report unusual mosquito activity. Unusual activity means aggressive daytime biting, usually in shaded areas. Asian tiger mosquitoes can bite up to 48 times an hour. The number for reports is 0800 MOZZIE (0800 669943).
About Asian tiger mosquito:
Asian tiger mosquito is an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993, and has the potential to establish in New Zealand north of the Waikato, and as far south as Hawke’s Bay if warmer climatic conditions occur. Establishment in any particular area would depend largely on climatic conditions, particularly temperature and rainfall.
The Asian tiger mosquito occurs throughout the tropics of South East Asia, the Northern Pacific and Indian Ocean Islands, north through China and Japan and west to Madagascar. The mosquito has also spread to North and South America, with more recent introductions into areas within Africa, Australia and Europe. Female Asian tiger mosquitoes feed on humans and other mammals, as well as birds and amphibians.
The situation:
The mosquito was detected during routine Ministry of Health exotic mosquito surveillance required by international health regulations. The identification was confirmed on March 6. It is still too early to say if it was imported or there is an established population. Work is ongoing to clarify the situation, which will determine what future actions are necessary. Potential mosquito habitat in the port area is being treated and/or eliminated, and surveillance and trapping has increased.
As well as enhanced trapping, surveillance and treatment of potential habitat, ongoing actions include analysing information from shipping schedules, weather patterns and previous mosquito interceptions at the Ports of Auckland in the last three months. Detection of exotic mosquitoes of public health significance is not unusual. Exotic mosquitoes are most likely to enter New Zealand by:
- being lodged in deck cargo on international ships
- breeding in water storage and open containers on fishing boats and yachts
- breeding or attached to used tyres
- breeding in cavities and containers on used vehicles, used machinery and other imported goods.
Response team
Sonya Bissmire is the incursion manager for this response and is being shadowed in this role by David Yard, an incursion manager who has recently joined Biosecurity New Zealand. A multi-disciplinary team is in place to manage the various facets of the response.
Stakeholder update list
We are keen to keep people as up-to-date as possible. If you are not the right person in your organisation to be receiving this update, or you know of others in your organisation that should be who are not, please email their contact details to: aedes_albopictus@maf.govt.nz