18 August 2003
Media Release
Mosquito intercepted at Ports of Auckland
A species of exotic mosquito has been intercepted by Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Quarantine Service at
Ports of Auckland.
Ochlerotatus japonicus, also known as the Japanese rockpool mosquito, was discovered by MAF quarantine staff at the
weekend on an imported used sewage truck from Japan. The container where the mosquitoes were found was treated and the
truck has been fumigated.
Ochlerotatus japonicus is an unwanted organism in New Zealand as it has the potential to survive and become established
in New Zealand. It poses a human health risk and may be a vector for Japanese encephalitis.
This species is found in Japan but has been intercepted five times before in New Zealand, each time in imported used
machinery from Japan.
Ministry of Health spokesperson Sally Gilbert says although the species was not detected until last weekend, after the
vessel had left Auckland, Auckland Regional Public Health Service health protection staff immediately put in place a
programme of enhanced surveillance in the area where about 40 Ochlerotatus japonicus larvae and several pupae were
discovered.
The area where the truck was parked and where the vessel had berthed has been inspected and any potential habitat
identified, treated or eliminated, and a number of adult and larval mosquito traps placed in the vicinity.
Enhanced surveillance programmes are also in place at ports in Wellington and Christchurch where the cargo ship had
berthed after leaving Auckland. No exotic mosquitoes have been reported from the ports of Wellington and Lyttleton but
the surveillance is being undertaken to ensure no exotic mosquitoes establish in these areas.
"Health authorities will continue with enhanced surveillance in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch for two to three
weeks, to ensure the species does not get established here," says Ms Gilbert, Chief Technical Officer (Health) for
Biosecurity.
Ms Gilbert says exotic mosquitoes of public health significance have been intercepted on 22 previous occasions since
January 1998.
Exotic mosquitoes are most likely to enter New Zealand by way of:
- Being lodged in deck cargo on international ships - Breeding in water storage and open containers on fishing boats and
yachts - Breeding or attached to used tyres - Lodged in used vehicles, used machinery and other imported goods.
MAF quarantine service staff are the first line of defence in the search for exotic organisms on imported goods. Public
health staff carry out routine surveillance for mosquitoes.
Biosecurity agencies ask that cargo handlers and members of the public who note anything unusual on imported goods "see
it, contain it, and report it". This message is actively promoted by the biosecurity awareness programme, Protect New
Zealand.
This could mean closing off the vehicle, container, package or room, and reporting it to the MAF exotic pest hotline
0800 809 966.
ENDS