NZBEL 2019

January 2019 

February 2019 

Kia Ora Koutou

This January we have recorded even more mosquitoes than this same month last year and February is looking warm and cosy for mozzies, so get ready for more!

In the news, scientist are finding new and quick ways to detect vector-borne diseases in patients and researchers have found a molecule made by a bacteria found in soil nematodes that can repel mosquitoes as effectively as DEET. Don't forget to visit our direct access to risk maps and disease outbreaks.

March 2019 

April 2019 

In the news this month, in Singapore the number of people infected with dengue is three times higher than last year same period, researches are getting closer to a dengue vaccine and to the understanding of how mosquitoes perceive humans.In the section “Spot the difference” delight your senses with a mosquito larval samples. If your larval sample looks like that one in the picture you are on the correct track.

Kia Ora Koutou. This month on April the 25^thwas the World Malaria Day, an international observance that recognizes global efforts to control malaria. Scroll down to watch a message from Dr Tedros, Director-General of World Health Organisation. In the news this month, researchers found that sensory hairs on the mosquitoes’ legs respond to DEET and repel mosquitoes which are landing to blood feed. Recent laboratory experiments have demonstrated that a range of mosquito-borne pathogens can be detected in mosquito excreta, and more.

May 2019

June 2019 

Kia Ora Koutou. As the weather continues a generally downward trend towards winter, mosquito numbers have decreased. In the news this month, the first malaria vaccine is being rolled out in immunisation programmes in Malawi, Ghana and Kenya, while Algeria and Argentina are recognised as being malaria-free, researchers found out what the main vectors for West Nile virus are in Iowa, and more!

Kia Ora Koutou - Winter has finally arrived and the drop in temperatures has also brought about a significant reduction in positive samples across the country. As colder months are with us the “know your mosquito” segment this month is dedicated to the endemic species Aedes antipodeus that thrives in the winter months.

July 2019

August 2019 

Kia Ora Koutou - As winter is here the mosquito numbers are still low, but, as you may have noticed, higher than last year this month and last month. In any case it is a very good time to prepare all your equipment for summer. So, if your Light trap has not been checked this year then now is the perfect moment to contact us and have it done (taxonomy@nzbiosecure.net.nz).

Kia Ora Koutou

It was great to meet in person many HPOs during the Border Health and Ship Sanitation Course here in Wellington. We hope you enjoyed all the vector related activities as we certainly did.

In the news, this month scientists have discovered a hidden Zika outbreak in Cuba. A team of researchers have created the Malaria Cell Atlas. Also, read about how Aedes albopictushas spread from its native range to Europe.  This month in the Know your Mosquito section meet Culex tritaeniorhynchus, the main vector of Japanese Encephalitis in Asia.

September 2019 

October 2019 

Kia Ora Koutou,

Thank you very much to all of you who sent your Mosquito Surveillance Equipment list for the 2019 Stocktake. Starting next month, NZB will visit points of entry to provide assistance implementing the suggestions provided during the 2019 Surveillance Review, including supporting PHUs in the update of SOPs for Interception response and Surveillance programmes. We hope you enjoy the section “Know your Mosquito trap” and “A bite of information”.

In the news, this month read about the discovery of a new mosquito-borne parasite that causes symptoms similar to leishmaniasis. Learn about a 2nd generation Zika vaccine that is being trialled in Austria and more.

Kia Ora Koutou,

We are feeling very thankful this month here at the Lab. The Pest and Vector Workshop in Auckland allow us to meet in person many great HPOs and hear from their experiences and offer some new Surveillance updates. The lab also conducted the pilot visit to Toi Te Ora – Public Health as part of a series of visits to Points of Entry to help put into place the recommendations that were made in the 2019 Surveillance Review. The visit was very informative and we look forward to visiting the rest of the Public Health Units.

Also, Peter Haslemore from Southland has sent some larvae to the Lab to try to obtain some Culiseta novaezealandiae adults, a very rare native species. So far, these mosquitoes have remained elusive however we hope that future sampling will be more successful. In the meantime, we will enjoy being able to add more Culex pervigilans specimens to our reference collection.

November 2019 

December 2019 

Kia Ora Koutou, The summer season is here! The mozzie numbers are slowly increasing, and the first adults are coming to the lab mainly from Northland (thanks Debe for the very well-preserved samples you are sending to the lab). 

In the news this month, read about how rising temperatures contribute to multiple outbreaks of dengue fever globally. Researchers demonstrated that insulin could be vital in targeting the spread of flaviviruses, traditional soup broths are tested to prove their antimalaria properties and finally scientist are monitoring the behaviour of mosquitoes trying to bite a sleeping person, helping increase the efficiency of the mosquito insecticides used on bed nets and more.

This summer, remember to get rid of standing water to help keep mozzies away. Wishing you all a safe and Merry Christmas.

Kia Ora Koutou. Hope you all had a very Happy Christmas and a great and relaxing holiday break. This month we have produced the annual mozzie chart for you to find out which was the mozziest month of 2019. Also scroll down to learn about Coquillettidia iracundaa handsome and interesting New Zealand mosquito species which has a very special siphon.

In the news this month, read about the increase of dengue cases around the world and how researchers have developed a new model to predict the spread of dengue fever to non-endemic countries. Afghanistan is facing a dengue outbreak showing endemic cases for the first time and researchers have made significant advances in developing a Zika virus vaccine.