Assessing the Risk of Exotic Mosquito Incursion through an International Seaport, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.

Cameron E Webb,David N Durrheim,Philippe G Porigneaux

doi:10.3390/tropicalmed6010025

Abstract

Exotic mosquitoes, especially container-inhabiting species such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, pose a risk to Australia as they bring with them potentially significant pest and public health concerns. Notwithstanding the threat to public health and wellbeing, significant economic costs associated with the burden of mosquito control would fall to local authorities. Detection of these mosquitoes at airports and seaports has highlighted pathways of introduction but surveillance programs outside these first ports of entry are not routinely conducted in the majority of Australian cities. To assist local authorities to better prepare response plans for exotic mosquito incursions, an investigation was undertaken to determine the extent of habitats suitable for container-inhabiting mosquitoes in over 300 residential properties adjacent to the Port of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW. More than 1500 water-holding containers were recorded, most commonly pot plant saucers, roof gutters, and water-holding plants (e.g., bromeliads). There were significantly more containers identified for properties classified as untidy but there was no evidence visible that property characteristics could be used to prioritise property surveys in a strategic eradication response. The results demonstrate that there is potential for local establishment of exotic mosquitoes and that considerable effort would be required to adequately survey these environments for the purpose of surveillance and eradication programs.

Highlights

Mosquito-borne disease is a concern for health authorities across Australia
While pathogens, such as Ross River (RRV) and Barmah Forest viruses (BFV), transmitted by endemic mosquitoes result in approximately 5000 notifications of illness each year [1,2], there is increasing concern regarding the introduction of exotic mosquitoes that may transmit pathogens of serious health concern such as dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV), and
There has been an increase in Australian travellers returning from overseas infected with exotic mosquito-borne diseases [8]

Summary

Introduction

Mosquito-borne disease is a concern for health authorities across Australia. While pathogens, such as Ross River (RRV) and Barmah Forest viruses (BFV), transmitted by endemic mosquitoes result in approximately 5000 notifications of illness each year [1,2], there is increasing concern regarding the introduction of exotic mosquitoes that may transmit pathogens of serious health concern such as dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV), andZika (ZIKV) viruses [3]. Mosquito-borne disease is a concern for health authorities across Australia While pathogens, such as Ross River (RRV) and Barmah Forest viruses (BFV), transmitted by endemic mosquitoes result in approximately 5000 notifications of illness each year [1,2], there is increasing concern regarding the introduction of exotic mosquitoes that may transmit pathogens of serious health concern such as dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV), and. Increasing international travel is a substantial risk factor, the number of flights arriving in Australia each year and the steady growth in airports around the country receiving international flights. There has been an increase in Australian travellers returning from overseas infected with exotic mosquito-borne diseases [8] This is especially the case for DENV infections, with a steady growth in cases reported from 2004 to 2013, the majority of which originate from Indonesia [9]. Associated freight-handling facilities, are the highest risk entry points for exotic mosquitos, the importance of seaports should not be underestimated and exotic mosquitoes have been reported from international seaports in both Australia and New

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Discussion

Conclusion