Arbovirus and Culicoides Surveillance Programme
The Arbovirus Surveillance Programme commenced in 1991. Arbovirus means "diseases that are spread by insects". This programme is looking for Bluetongue virus, Akabane virus, Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease virus, and Palyam and D'Aguilar. The programme is also looking for Culicoides midges, which are the insects that spread the viruses.
This programme is being undertaken because none of the diseases or insects it looks for are present in New Zealand. The diseases can cause significant health problems in cattle, sheep, goats and deer. The insects are necessary to spread the disease, and ensuring we don't have them adds an extra line of defence, just in case any of the diseases entered New Zealand.
The arbovirus diseases we look for are common in other countries, and trade restrictions can apply on animals and animal products from countries that have the diseases. Bluetongue disease is now being found in new areas of Europe. Climate change may be one reason why this is so. As the areas where this disease and other arboviruses are being found are increasing, it's in New Zealand's interests to look for it too.
Activities of the programme
Blood samples are taken twice a year from 17 herds of cattle. These herds have been chosen because they are in areas where arboviruses might be likely to arrive in the country, or where the insects that spread them could survive. The blood samples are then tested for the viruses.
Traps for the Culicoides midges are set for three consecutive nights a week from 1 February to 30 April (excluding the weeks of the full moon). The traps run at night, and have a light to attract the insects. Traps are hung near where the cattle the midges like to bite are spending the night. The insects collected in the trap are sent to MAF entomologists to be identified.
Technical basis for programme
This surveillance programme is designed with a 95% probability of detecting at least one infected animal in a herd, based on a minimum expected prevalence of 25% and an average herd size of 120 animals.
Recent Results
| Year | Cattle tested | Cattle positive | Insects trapped | Culicoides found |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 170 | 0 | 39580 | 0 |
| 2007 | 170 | 0 | 52400 | 0 |
| 2006 | 170 | 0 | 110348 | 0 |
Related activities
- The Ministry of Health undertakes surveillance for mosquitos and other insects that can spread viruses that infect people.
- The Ministry of Health monitors arbovirus infections in people (such as Ross River Virus)
- MAF Biosecurity New Zealand has received Cross Departmental Research Pool funding to undertake a project on Vectors and Vector Borne Diseases in collaboration with other government departments and crown research institutes.
Page last updated: 1 July 2009