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Kurucz Nina - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Investigation into high Barmah Forest Virus disease case numbers reported in the Northern Territory, Australia 2012-13
Mary Ann Liebert Inc Publishers, 2016Co-Authors: Kurucz Nina, Warchot Allan, Markey Peter, Draper Anthony, Melville Lorna, Weir Richard, Davis Steven, Boyd Rowena, Stokeld DanielleAbstract:Between October 2012 and October 2013, unprecedented high numbers of Barmah Forest Virus (BFV) disease cases were reported in the Northern Territory (NT). An investigation was launched by the NT Department of Health in cooperation with the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries and the Department of Land Resource Management to investigate possible causes for this phenomenon. The investigation included Virus isolations from mosquitoes collected in Darwin urban areas, BFV antibody testing in peri-urban small mammals and a human BFV disease case series investigation of recent cases. No BFV was isolated from the 4641 mosquitoes tested, none of the mammals tested positive for BFV antibodies and the high BFV disease case numbers did not correlate with the relatively low mosquito vector numbers trapped in 2012/13. It was estimated that up to 89% of the 79 human cases investigated did not have an acute arboviral illness and therefore had tested falsely positive. An Alere PanBio BFV IgM ELISA test kit is generally used to test for BFV, with the BFV disease case definition based on IgM positives only. Other jurisdictions in Australia also reported high numbers of BFV disease cases, with the majority of the cases suspected to be false positives. Therefore, current testing methods need to be revised to reflect the true numbers of BFV disease cases occurring in Australia, and to provide correct diagnosis for patients
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Environmental changes - a challenge for mosquito control in the Lee Point area, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Medical Entomology DoH, 2015Co-Authors: Warchot Allan, Copley Nadine, Kurucz NinaAbstract:Lee Point, at the northern end of Casuarina Coastal Reserve in Darwin, Northern Territory, has historically been a productive breeding area for the northern salt marsh mosquito, Aedes vigilax. The main breeding habitats for this mosquito at Lee Point are coastal interdunal depressions. Sand deposition can form new mosquito breeding sites in the area, with the most recent site to the east of the tip of Lee Point found to be breeding mosquitoes in 2015. Coastal depressions at Lee Point usually breed Ae. vigilax after heavy wet season rainfall, with some sites also breeding after high tides during the wet season. However, the most recently formed interdunal depression was found to breed high numbers of Ae. vigilax larvae following a high tide in the late dry season, indicating the formation of the first dry season Ae. vigilax breeding site at Lee Point. Aedes vigilax is a major pest mosquito and can carry Ross River Virus and Barmah Forest Virus. This new area of mosquito breeding will be added to the routine larval mosquito control program for Casuarina Coastal Reserve. However, the new site and other interdunal depressions at Lee Point should be investigated for rectification to prevent mosquito breeding
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Wagait Beach mosquito investigation 14-15 January 2015
Medical Entomology DoH, 2015Co-Authors: Warchot Allan, Copley Nadine, Kurucz NinaAbstract:Following receipt of a mosquito enquiry from Wagait Shire Council on 9 January 2015, Medical Entomology staff undertook a mosquito field investigation at Wagait Beach. Adult mosquito trapping showed moderate to high levels of the northern salt marsh mosquito, Aedes vigilax, a potential vector for Ross River Virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest Virus (BFV). Site investigations revealed extensive Ae. vigilax breeding in coastal sand dune depressions at the northern fringe of Wagait Beach. Aerial photography suggested large seasonal mosquito breeding sites exist nearby to Wagait Beach, not only for Ae. vigilax, but also for Culex annulirostris, the principal vector for RRV, BFV, Murray Valley encephalitis and Kunjin Virus, and for Anopheles mosquitoes, the potential vectors for Malaria. The most feasible mosquito mitigation measures for Wagait Beach residents are likely to be personal protection and mosquito avoidance
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Arboviral diseases and malaria in Australia, 2011-12: annual report of the National ArboVirus and Malaria Advisory Committee.
2014Co-Authors: Knope, Katrina E, Kurucz Nina, Johansen, Cheryl A., Nicholson Jay, Doggett, Stephen L, Feldman Rebecca, Sly Angus, Hobby Michaela, El Saadi Debra, Muller MikeAbstract:The National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System received notifications for 7,875 cases of disease transmitted by mosquitoes during the 2011-12 season (1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012). The alphaViruses Barmah Forest Virus and Ross River Virus accounted for 6,036 (77%) of these. There were 18 notifications of dengue Virus infection acquired in Australia and 1,390 cases that were acquired overseas, while for 38 cases, the place of acquisition was unknown. Imported cases of dengue in Australia were most frequently acquired in Indonesia. There were 20 imported cases of chikungunya Virus. There were no notifications of locally-acquired malaria in Australia during the 2011-12 season. There were 314 notifications of overseas-acquired malaria and 41 notifications where the place of acquisition was unknown. Sentinel chicken, mosquito surveillance, viral detection in mosquitoes and climate modelling are used to provide early warning of arboviral disease activity in Australia. In 2011-12, sentinel chicken programs for the detection of flaviVirus activity were conducted in most states with the risk of arboviral transmission. Other surveillance activities to detect the presence of arboViruses in mosquitoes or mosquito saliva or for surveying mosquito abundance included honey-baited trap surveillance, surveys of household containers that may provide suitable habitat for the dengue vector, Aedes aegypti, and carbon dioxide baited traps. Surveillance for exotic mosquitoes at the border continues to be a vital part of preventing the spread of mosquito-borne diseases to new areas of Australia
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Applications of a sugar-based surveillance system to track arboViruses in wild mosquito populations
Mary Ann Liebert, 2014Co-Authors: Van Den Hurk, Andrew F., Kurucz Nina, Hall-mendelin Sonja, Townsend Michael, Edwards Jim, Ehlers Gerhard, Rodwell Chris, Moore, Frederick A., Mcmahon, Jamie L., Northill, Judith A.Abstract:Effective arboVirus surveillance is essential to ensure the implementation of control strategies, such as mosquito suppression, vaccination, or dissemination of public warnings. Traditional strategies employed for arboVirus surveillance, such as detection of Virus or Virus-specific antibodies in sentinel animals, or detection of Virus in hematophagous arthropods, have limitations as an early-warning system. A system was recently developed that involves collecting mosquitoes in CO2-baited traps, where the insects expectorate Virus on sugar-baited nucleic acid preservation cards. The cards are then submitted for Virus detection using molecular assays. We report the application of this system for detecting flaviViruses and alphaViruses in wild mosquito populations in northern Australia. This study was the first to employ nonpowered passive box traps (PBTs) that were designed to house cards baited with honey as the sugar source. Overall, 20/144 (13.9%) of PBTs from different weeks contained at least one Virus-positive card. West Nile Virus Kunjin subtype (WNVKUN), Ross River Virus (RRV), and Barmah Forest Virus (BFV) were detected, being identified in 13/20, 5/20, and 2/20 of positive PBTs, respectively. Importantly, sentinel chickens deployed to detect flaviVirus activity did not seroconvert at two Northern Territory sites where four PBTs yielded WNVKUN. Sufficient WNVKUN and RRV RNA was expectorated onto some of the honey-soaked cards to provide a template for gene sequencing, enhancing the utility of the sugar-bait surveillance system for investigating the ecology, emergence, and movement of arboViruses
Whelan Peter - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Personal protection from mosquitoes & biting midges in the NT
Dept. of Health and Families, 2010Co-Authors: Whelan PeterAbstract:This is an adaptation of a paper in the Australian mosquito control manual published by the Australian Mosquito Control Association in 1998.Mosquitoes and biting midges (genus Culicoides and sometimes erroneously called sand flies) can reach sufficient numbers in various localities to be considered serious pests. The bites themselves can be painful and extremely annoying, and people suffer varying degrees of reaction to bites (Lee 1975). However the possibility of the spread of various diseases by their blood sucking habits to either humans or animals is a more serious outcome. Mosquitoes can carry Viruses such as Murray Valley encephalitis, Kunjin, Ross River, and Barmah Forest Virus which cause human disease (Russell 1995). Biting midges do not carry any pathogens in Australia that cause human disease.Biting insects create problems in the enjoyment of outdoor activities, causing a reluctance to enter certain areas after sundown or forcing people to be confined to insect-proof areas at certain times of the year. Personal protection and avoidance measures can offer considerable protection from bites, as well as offering protection against mosquito-borne disease.Date:2010-1
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Personal protection from mosquitoes & biting midges in the NT
Dept. of Health and Families, 2010Co-Authors: Whelan PeterAbstract:This is an adaptation of a paper in the Australian mosquito control manual published by the Australian Mosquito Control Association in 1998.Mosquitoes and biting midges (genus Culicoides and sometimes erroneously called sand flies) can reach sufficient numbers in various localities to be considered serious pests. The bites themselves can be painful and extremely annoying, and people suffer varying degrees of reaction to bites (Lee 1975). However the possibility of the spread of various diseases by their blood sucking habits to either humans or animals is a more serious outcome. Mosquitoes can carry Viruses such as Murray Valley encephalitis, Kunjin, Ross River, and Barmah Forest Virus which cause human disease (Russell 1995). Biting midges do not carry any pathogens in Australia that cause human disease.Biting insects create problems in the enjoyment of outdoor activities, causing a reluctance to enter certain areas after sundown or forcing people to be confined to insect-proof areas at certain times of the year. Personal protection and avoidance measures can offer considerable protection from bites, as well as offering protection against mosquito-borne disease
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Salt marsh mosquito larval control in Leanyer coastal wetland, Northern Territory
Medical Entomology DHF, 2010Co-Authors: Kurucz Nina, Whelan Peter, Carter, Jane M, Jacups, Susan P, Mcdonnell JosephAbstract:A coastal wetland with important larval habitats for Aedes vigilax (Skuse), the northern salt marsh mosquito is located adjacent to the northern suburbs of Darwin. This species is a vector for Ross River Virus and Barmah Forest Virus, as well as an appreciable human pest. To improve aerial larval control, we identified the most important vegetation categories and climatic/seasonal aspects associated with aerial control operations in this wetland after inundation with tide, rain and tide and rain combined. The analyses showed that the Schoenoplectus/mangrove areas require most of the control after inundation by tide only (30.1%), and also extensive control when tides and rain are coinciding (18.2%). Tide-affected reticulate vegetation requires extensive control after inundation by rain only (44.7%), and when tide and rain inundation coincide (38.0%). The analyses further showed that most of the control needs to be carried out between September and January, with a control peak in November and December. To maximise the efficiency of aerial salt marsh mosquito control operations in northern Australia, aerial control efforts should concentrate on Schoenoplectus/mangrove and tide-affected reticulate areas, especially between September and January
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Salt marsh mosquito larval control in Leanyer coastal wetland, Northern Territory
Medical Entomology DHF, 2010Co-Authors: Kurucz Nina, Whelan Peter, Carter, Jane M, Jacups, Susan P, Mcdonnell JosephAbstract:A coastal wetland with important larval habitats for Aedes vigilax (Skuse), the northern salt marsh mosquito is located adjacent to the northern suburbs of Darwin. This species is a vector for Ross River Virus and Barmah Forest Virus, as well as an appreciable human pest. To improve aerial larval control, we identified the most important vegetation categories and climatic/seasonal aspects associated with aerial control operations in this wetland after inundation with tide, rain and tide and rain combined. The analyses showed that the Schoenoplectus/mangrove areas require most of the control after inundation by tide only (30.1%), and also extensive control when tides and rain are coinciding (18.2%). Tide-affected reticulate vegetation requires extensive control after inundation by rain only (44.7%), and when tide and rain inundation coincide (38.0%). The analyses further showed that most of the control needs to be carried out between September and January, with a control peak in November and December. To maximise the efficiency of aerial salt marsh mosquito control operations in northern Australia, aerial control efforts should concentrate on Schoenoplectus/mangrove and tide-affected reticulate areas, especially between September and January.Date:2010-0
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A geospatial evaluation of Aedes vigilax larval control efforts across a coastal wetland, Northern Territory, Australia
Society for Vector Ecology, 2009Co-Authors: Kurucz Nina, Whelan Peter, Carter, Jane M, Jacups, Susan PAbstract:Adjacent to the northern suburbs of Darwin is a coastal wetland that contains important larval habitats for Aedes vigilax (Skuse), the northern salt marsh mosquito. This species is a vector for Ross River Virus and Barmah Forest Virus, as well as an appreciable human pest. In order to improve aerial larval control efforts, we sought to identify the most important vegetation categories and climatic/seasonal aspects associated with control operations in these wetlands. By using a generalized linear model to compare aerial control for each vegetation category, we found that Schoenoplectus/ mangrove areas require the greatest amount of control for tide-only events (30.1 %), and also extensive control for tide and rain events coinciding (18.2%). Our results further indicate that tide-affected reticulate vegetation indicated by the marsh grasses Sporobolus virginicus and Xerochloa imberbis require extensive control for Ae. vigilax larvae after rain-only events (44.7%), and tide and rain events coinciding (38.0%). The analyses of vector control efforts by month indicated that September to January, with a peak in November and December, required the most control. A companion paper identifies the vegetation categories most associated with Aedes vigilax larvae population densities in the coastal wetland. To maximize the efficiency of aerial salt marsh mosquito control operations in northern Australia, aerial control efforts should concentrate on the vegetation categories with high larval densities between September and January.Date:2009-1
Shilu Tong - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Spatial analysis of risk factors for transmission of the Barmah Forest Virus in Queensland, Australia
2015Co-Authors: Suchithra Naish, Kerrie Mengersen, Shilu TongAbstract:Abstract. Barmah Forest Virus (BFV) disease is the second most common mosquito-borne disease in Australia but few data are available on the risk factors. We assessed the impact of spatial climatic, socioeconomic and ecological factors on the transmission of BFV disease in Queensland, Australia, using spatial regression. All our analyses indicate that spatial lag mod-els provide a superior fit to the data compared to spatial error and ordinary least square models. The residuals of the spa-tial lag models were found to be uncorrelated, indicating that the models adequately account for spatial and temporal auto-correlation. Our results revealed that minimum temperature, distance from coast and low tide were negatively and rainfall was positively associated with BFV disease in coastal areas, whereas minimum temperature and high tide were negatively and rainfall was positively associated with BFV disease (all P-value <0.05). The study demonstrates that BFV disease is more densely distributed in coastal areas and is influenced by climatic and ecological factors. The spatial analytical approach used in this study may have ramifications in the planning and implementation of BFV disease prevention and control pro-grammes
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Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Barmah Forest Virus Disease in Queensland
2013Co-Authors: Suchithra Naish, Kerrie Mengersen, Shilu TongAbstract:Background: Barmah Forest Virus (BFV) disease is a common and wide-spread mosquito-borne disease in Australia. This study investigated the spatio-temporal patterns of BFV disease in Queensland, Australia using geographical information system (GIS) tools and geostatistical analysis. Methods/Principal Findings: We calculated the incidence rates and standardised incidence rates of BFV disease. Moran’s I statistic was used to assess the spatial autocorrelation of BFV incidences. Spatial dynamics of BFV disease was examined using semi-variogram analysis. Interpolation techniques were applied to visualise and display the spatial distribution of BFV disease in statistical local areas (SLAs) throughout Queensland. Mapping of BFV disease by SLAs reveals the presence of substantial spatio-temporal variation over time. Statistically significant differences in BFV incidence rates were identified among age groups (x 2 = 7587, df = 7327,p,0.01). There was a significant positive spatial autocorrelation of BFV incidence for all four periods, with the Moran’s I statistic ranging from 0.1506 to 0.2901 (p,0.01). Semi-variogram analysis and smoothed maps created from interpolation techniques indicate that the pattern of spatial autocorrelation was not homogeneous across the state. Conclusions/Significance: This is the first study to examine spatial and temporal variation in the incidence rates of BFV disease across Queensland using GIS and geostatistics. The BFV transmission varied with age and gender, which may be du
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forecasting the future risk of Barmah Forest Virus disease under climate change scenarios in queensland australia
PLOS ONE, 2013Co-Authors: Suchithra Naish, Kerrie Mengersen, Shilu TongAbstract:BACKGROUND Mosquito-borne diseases are climate sensitive and there has been increasing concern over the impact of climate change on future disease risk. This paper projected the potential future risk of Barmah Forest Virus (BFV) disease under climate change scenarios in Queensland, Australia. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We obtained data on notified BFV cases, climate (maximum and minimum temperature and rainfall), socio-economic and tidal conditions for current period 2000-2008 for coastal regions in Queensland. Grid-data on future climate projections for 2025, 2050 and 2100 were also obtained. Logistic regression models were built to forecast the otential risk of BFV disease distribution under existing climatic, socio-economic and tidal conditions. The model was applied to estimate the potential geographic distribution of BFV outbreaks under climate change scenarios. The predictive model had good model accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. Maps on potential risk of future BFV disease indicated that disease would vary significantly across coastal regions in Queensland by 2100 due to marked differences in future rainfall and temperature projections. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE We conclude that the results of this study demonstrate that the future risk of BFV disease would vary across coastal regions in Queensland. These results may be helpful for public health decision making towards developing effective risk management strategies for BFV disease control and prevention programs in Queensland.
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Research Weather Variability, Tides, and Barmah Forest Virus Disease in the Gladstone Region, Australia
2013Co-Authors: Suchithra Naish, Neville Nicholls, John S. Mackenzie, Anthony J. Mcmichael, Pat Dale, Shilu TongAbstract:In this study we examined the impact of weather variability and tides on the transmission of Barmah Forest Virus (BFV) disease and developed a weather-based forecasting model for BFV disease in the Gladstone region, Australia. We used seasonal autoregressive integrated moving-average (SARIMA) models to determine the contribution of weather variables to BFV transmission after the time-series data of response and explanatory variables were made stationary through seasonal differencing. We obtained data on the monthly counts of BFV cases, weather variables (e.g., mean minimum and maximum temperature, total rainfall, and mean relative humidity), high and low tides, and the population size in the Gladstone region between January 1992 and December 200
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spatial analysis of risk factors for transmission of the Barmah Forest Virus in queensland australia
Faculty of Health; Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation; Science & Engineering Faculty, 2013Co-Authors: Suchithra Naish, Kerrie Mengersen, Shilu TongAbstract:Barmah Forest Virus (BFV) disease is the second most common mosquito-borne disease in Australia but few data are available on the risk factors. We assessed the impact of spatial climatic, socioeconomic and ecological factors on the transmission of BFV disease in Queensland, Australia, using spatial regression. All our analyses indicate that spatial lag models provide a superior fit to the data compared to spatial error and ordinary least square models. The residuals of the spatial lag models were found to be uncorrelated, indicating that the models adequately account for spatial and temporal autocorrelation. Our results revealed that minimum temperature, distance from coast and low tide were negatively and rainfall was positively associated with BFV disease in coastal areas, whereas minimum temperature and high tide were negatively and rainfall was positively associated with BFV disease (all P-value.
Brian H. Kay - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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MOSQUITO FEEDING PATTERNS AND NATURAL INFECTION OF VERTEBRATES WITH ROSS RIVER AND Barmah Forest VirusES IN BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
2014Co-Authors: Brian H. Kay, Ann Marie Boyd, Peter A Ryan, A. HallAbstract:Abstract. Host feeding patterns of mosquitoes were assessed through the identification of 865 blood meals collected from Brisbane during 2000–2001. Under natural conditions, mosquito feeding (including that of Culex annulirostris, Aedes vigilax, and Aedes notoscriptus) was primarily on dogs (37.4%), but also on birds (18.4%), horses (16.8%), brushtail possums (13.3%), humans (11.6%), and cats, flying foxes, and macropods, depending on site. From 1997 to 1999, sera (N 1706) were collected from dogs, cats, horses, flying foxes, and brushtail possums in the Brisbane area and were analyzed by microneutralization assay for antibodies to Ross River Virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest Virus (BFV). For RRV, all vertebrate species tested had been naturally infected, and seroprevalence varied from 10.5 % to 25.5%, whereas for BFV, rates varied between 0 % and 11.3%. Brushtail possums were often infected in the field, with 17.6 % and 10.7 % of wild individuals having antibodies to RRV and BFV, respectively. Horses and flying foxes also had a relatively high prevalence of antibodies to RRV. This study, therefore, provides data to indicate that brushtail possums play a role in the urban transmission of RRV in Brisbane and that horses, when they occur, also fill the same role
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role of verrallina funerea diptera culicidae in transmission of Barmah Forest Virus and ross river Virus in coastal areas of eastern australia
Journal of Medical Entomology, 2006Co-Authors: Jason A L Jeffery, Brian H. Kay, Peter A RyanAbstract:Verrallina funerea (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae) is a brackish water mosquito species found most commonly in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the northeastern coastal regions of Australia. Aspects of the vector competence of this species for Barmah Forest Virus (family Togaviridae, genus AlphaVirus, BFV) and Ross River Virus (family Togaviridae, genus AlphaVirus, RRV), two medically important arboViruses in Australia, were investigated. Laboratory-reared Ve. funerea were moderately susceptible to experimental infection with BFV (median cell culture infectious dose of 10(3.6) per mosquito) and were capable of transmission to suckling mice (52% after a 9-12-d extrinsic incubation period). Maximum salivary gland infections for BFV (65%) and RRV (50%) were observed 8 and 10 d postinfection, respectively. To examine any regional differences in vector competence, field populations (separated by up to 200 km) of Ve. funerea and Aedes vigilax (Skuse) from southeastern Queensland and northern New South Wales were fed BFV and RRV, and subsequent infection rates were compared. For both Viruses, no statistically significant variations in body, disseminated, or salivary gland infection rates were found in either Ve. funerea or Ae. vigilax. The results from this study indicate that Ve. funerea may have an important role as an amplification vector during outbreaks of both Viruses and that local government authorities should rapidly treat brackish water habitats to control this species during periods of increased disease activity.
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medical entomology changes in the spectrum of mosquito borne disease in australia and other vector threats and risks 1972 2004
Australian Journal of Entomology, 2004Co-Authors: Richard C Russell, Brian H. KayAbstract:Our paper presents an assessment of research and operational development in relation to medically important mosquito-borne disease, mainly the arboViruses Ross River, Barmah Forest, Murray Valley encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, Kunjin and dengue, but also with respect to malaria. Since 1972, there have been considerable gains in research output, organisational structure, communication, surveillance including quarantine inspection and operational control. This has been due to the 1974 epidemic of Murray Valley encephalitis Virus extending into temperate Australia, increasing occurrence of Ross River and the dengue Viruses, the discovery of Barmah Forest Virus as a disease entity in 1988, and the introduction of Japanese encephalitis in 1995. Because many of the outputs involve methodologies of global import, this has resulted in an unprecedented upsurge in publications of international standard.
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spatial distribution of vectors of ross river Virus and Barmah Forest Virus on russell island moreton bay queensland
Australian Journal of Entomology, 2002Co-Authors: Jason A L Jeffery, Peter A Ryan, Scott A Lyons, Paula Thomas, Brian H. KayAbstract:We used a network of 20 carbon dioxide- and octenol-supplemented light traps to sample adult mosquitoes throughout Russell Island in southern Moreton Bay, south-east Queensland. Between February and April 2001, an estimated 1365 564 adult female mosquitoes were collected. In contrast to an average catch of 9754 female mosquitoes per trap night on Russell Island, reference traps set on Macleay Island and on the mainland returned average catches of 3172 and 222, respectively. On Russell Island, Ochlerotatus vigilax (Skuse), Coquillettidia linealis (Skuse), Culex annulirostris Skuse and Verrallina funerea (Theobald), known or suspected vectors of Ross River (RR) and/or Barmah Forest (BF) Viruses, comprised 89.6% of the 25 taxa collected. When the spatial distributions of the above species were mapped and analysed using local spatial statistics, all were found to be present in highest numbers towards the southern end of the island during most of the 7 weeks. This indicated the presence of more suitable adult harbourage sites and/or suboptimal larval control efficacy. As immature stages and the breeding habitat of Cq. linealis are as yet undescribed, this species in particular presents a considerable impediment to proposed development scenarios. The method presented here of mapping the numbers of mosquitoes throughout a local government area allows specific areas that have high vector numbers to be defined.
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the risk of ross river and Barmah Forest Virus disease in queensland implications for new zealand
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 2002Co-Authors: Louise A Kellyhope, Brian H. Kay, David M Purdie, Gail M WilliamsAbstract:Objectives: To describe the incidence of Ross River (RR) and Barmah Forest (BF) Virus disease in Queensland and determine the risk of importation of RR Virus from Queensland into New Zealand (NZ) via viraemic travellers. Methods: Based on routine RR and BF Virus notification data of seven major urban tropical and subtropical Queensland populations, incidence rates adjusted for age, sex, season and a baseline level of immunity were used to examine the annual and seasonal risk of disease in the specific populations and selected subgroups. The risk for NZ was determined by estimating the number of infections among major visitor groups travelling from Queensland to NZ, using seroconversion rates. Results: In Queensland, annual rates of RR and BF Virus disease ranged between 31.5-288.3 and 3.4-37.4/100,000 person years respectively and increased to between 48.4-423.5 and 3.8-40.4/100,000 person years at risk when adjusted for immunity. Our estimates indicate that more than 100 viraemic travellers may enter NZ from Queensland each year. Estimates were greatest among New Zealanders returning home. Conclusions and implications: Usefulness of notification data could be maximised by presenting more detailed information to the local governments responsible for the control and public health awareness of these pathogens. Given the high number of viraemic persons entering NZ, the abudance of possums and the emergence of Oc. camptorhynchus, transmission of RR Virus within NZ is probable. Health authorities should prepare for a virgin soil epidemic of RR Virus by initiating serological and clinical surveillance in key areas, enhance public and professional awareness and elevate national resources necessary to invoke emergency vector control and case management.
Mcdonnell Joseph - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Salt marsh mosquito larval control in Leanyer coastal wetland, Northern Territory
Medical Entomology DHF, 2010Co-Authors: Kurucz Nina, Whelan Peter, Carter, Jane M, Jacups, Susan P, Mcdonnell JosephAbstract:A coastal wetland with important larval habitats for Aedes vigilax (Skuse), the northern salt marsh mosquito is located adjacent to the northern suburbs of Darwin. This species is a vector for Ross River Virus and Barmah Forest Virus, as well as an appreciable human pest. To improve aerial larval control, we identified the most important vegetation categories and climatic/seasonal aspects associated with aerial control operations in this wetland after inundation with tide, rain and tide and rain combined. The analyses showed that the Schoenoplectus/mangrove areas require most of the control after inundation by tide only (30.1%), and also extensive control when tides and rain are coinciding (18.2%). Tide-affected reticulate vegetation requires extensive control after inundation by rain only (44.7%), and when tide and rain inundation coincide (38.0%). The analyses further showed that most of the control needs to be carried out between September and January, with a control peak in November and December. To maximise the efficiency of aerial salt marsh mosquito control operations in northern Australia, aerial control efforts should concentrate on Schoenoplectus/mangrove and tide-affected reticulate areas, especially between September and January
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Salt marsh mosquito larval control in Leanyer coastal wetland, Northern Territory
Medical Entomology DHF, 2010Co-Authors: Kurucz Nina, Whelan Peter, Carter, Jane M, Jacups, Susan P, Mcdonnell JosephAbstract:A coastal wetland with important larval habitats for Aedes vigilax (Skuse), the northern salt marsh mosquito is located adjacent to the northern suburbs of Darwin. This species is a vector for Ross River Virus and Barmah Forest Virus, as well as an appreciable human pest. To improve aerial larval control, we identified the most important vegetation categories and climatic/seasonal aspects associated with aerial control operations in this wetland after inundation with tide, rain and tide and rain combined. The analyses showed that the Schoenoplectus/mangrove areas require most of the control after inundation by tide only (30.1%), and also extensive control when tides and rain are coinciding (18.2%). Tide-affected reticulate vegetation requires extensive control after inundation by rain only (44.7%), and when tide and rain inundation coincide (38.0%). The analyses further showed that most of the control needs to be carried out between September and January, with a control peak in November and December. To maximise the efficiency of aerial salt marsh mosquito control operations in northern Australia, aerial control efforts should concentrate on Schoenoplectus/mangrove and tide-affected reticulate areas, especially between September and January.Date:2010-0