Saltmarsh Mosquito Eradication Project Gets Permanent Base at Parakai
A new base of operations being opened tomorrow in Kaipara officially marks a significant milestone in the biggest
programme so far by the Ministry of Health aimed at eradicating an exotic mosquito which can carry a debilitating
disease, the Ross River Virus (RRV).
The southern saltmarsh mosquito, which was first discovered in Napier in 1998, is the target of a $30 million project to
combat the incursion of the Australian pest into New Zealand. The invasion in the Kaipara region is the largest so far,
with a potential habitat of about 2700 hectares having been identified.
The southern saltmarsh mosquito can carry the Ross River Virus, which can cause a wide range of debilitating symptoms in
anyone who gets it. The symptoms may last for up to a month, but in some cases much longer.
There has never been a case of the disease contracted in New Zealand and the Director of Public Health Dr Colin
Tukuitonga said the Ministry wants to keep it that way. He said the new base provides excellent facilities to give the
eradication programme the best chance for success.
"Staff actually started using the insect growth regulator S-methoprene in October last year because we wanted to get
started as soon as stocks arrived, after being ordered from overseas. The new base means operations can be more easily
maintained at the level needed long-term to eradicate this pest around Kaipara."
The treatment will run for two summers to ensure that it will target at least two breeding seasons. A biological control
agent, Bti, is also being used in conjunction with S-methoprene. Treatment with the organic larvacide began about 12
months ago.
Dr Tukuitonga said he was especially pleased that the introduction of the programme had gone so smoothly, after a big
effort to consult with local authorities, iwi and community groups.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of the stakeholders involved for their input. The support for this
programme has been really pleasing, with the community well behind the project, which poses no risk to public health,"
he said.
"I'm particularly hopeful about the success of this programme given the results from treating other parts of the country
where the mosquito has been found."
"For example the southern saltmarsh mosquito has been eradicated in Napier, which is the place where the mosquito was
first discovered in New Zealand and where the first treatment took place. The eradication programme operating in other
parts of the Hawkes Bay and Tairawhiti is also progressing well."
The opening of the new base at Kaipara provides a top facility for around 20 staff working on the programme. It
includes:
A helicopter hangar for aircraft storage and maintenance A permanent helicopter landing pad A screening laboratory for
conducting insect identification A maintenance shop for the servicing of vehicles and equipment A storage facility for
the holding of bulk product An operations centre for the planning for and control of operational activities An
administration centre Staff facilities
NZ Biosecure, whose staff have also been involved in the control and eradication of the saltmarsh mosquito in the East
Coast and Hawke's Bay regions, have been contracted to run the southern saltmarsh mosquito programme.
The southern saltmarsh mosquito is a particularly aggressive daytime biting mosquito. Dr Tukuitonga said the Ministry's
advice is that people should avoid being bitten by any mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes are most active around dawn, late afternoon and just after dusk. Screening open doors and windows, using
insect sprays or mosquito coils indoors and wearing long clothing and repellent when outdoors, can reduce the
possibility of being bitten.