Dengue mosquito detected in Tennant Creek for the first time in a decade

THE mosquito breed responsible for carrying the Dengue virus has been detected in Central Australia.

The mosquito pictured is Aedes aegypti vector of dengue fever, Chikungunya and Zika. The photo was taken by Dr Giorgio Venturieri, EMBRAPA/CSIRO.

THE mosquito breed responsible for carrying the Dengue virus has been detected in Tennant Creek for the first time in a decade.

It was detected during routine exotic mosquito surveillance carried out by Medical Entomology officers of the Top End Health Service in Tennant Creek between February 22-26.

Medical Entomologist Bill Pettit said it was likely that this mosquito was inadvertently imported from Queensland via road transport, however it is important to consider all possibilities.

Dengue mosquito has been detected in Tennant Creek (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

“This mosquito was eliminated from the Northern Territory in the mid 1950s and has not become permanently established in the NT since,” he said.

“Since the 1950s we’ve seen three short-term incursions to Tennant Creek in 2004 and 2011, and on Groote Eylandt in 2006, with elimination achieved through comprehensive two year programs,” Mr Pettit said.

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Following the current detection, Medical Entomology officers have travelled to Tennant Creek until March 12 to carry out mosquito surveillance and control in urban residential backyards. Dengue mosquito is closely associated with humans, breeding in artificial water holding containers around houses.

“Initially, operations will focus on mosquito control in the backyard where the Dengue mosquito was found and neighbouring backyards, while mosquito surveillance will be carried out throughout town to assess the distribution of the mosquito in the town,” Mr Pettit said.

“It is anticipated that follow up visits will be required to ensure the Dengue mosquito is eliminated,” Mr Pettit said.

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Tennant Creek residents are urged to assist officers by providing access to their backyards; not tipping out any water holding containers until they have been inspected by an officer; and reporting any backyard mosquito breeding to the Medical Entomology unit.

To report backyard mosquito breeding in Tennant Creek, contact Medical Entomology on 89228901 or 0427979854.