Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/10/2300268.htm
Dengue carrying mosquito could threaten Melbourne
Researchers says outbreaks of the potentially deadly dengue fever could strike throughout northern Australia and as far south as Melbourne if the asian tiger mosquito invades Australia's mainland.
The mosquito is capable of transmitting up to 22 viruses, and Darwin's Menzies School of Health Research says there is growing concern that it will infiltrate the Australian mainland.
Researcher Bart Currie is part of the Northern Territory's surveillance team for emerging diseases and says the pest has been established on the Torres Strait Islands for about two years and a national strategy is needed to ensure it does not reach the mainland.
"The time is now to deal with that, and prevent it getting to the mainland," he says.
"From the experience that's happened in the Americas and in other parts of the world, this mosquito once it gets a foothold, it's going to be incredibly hard, if not impossible, to eradicate."
George Hapgood, who heads a Queensland Health program that it trying to eradicate the species from the Torres Strait Islands, says the program is only funded until next year and longer term commitment is needed.
"There is a need particularly with the Northern Territory and Western Australia to be aware of what's happening.
"I think it is of concern to the whole of Australia, not just Queensland."
Mr Currie agrees.
"This is one of these things where the whole issues of Commonwealth versus state responsibility is possibly leading to less activity than may be ideal in order to prevent the potential future problem which will be unable to be dealt with once it gets out of hand."
Dengue carrying mosquito could threaten Melbourne
Researchers says outbreaks of the potentially deadly dengue fever could strike throughout northern Australia and as far south as Melbourne if the asian tiger mosquito invades Australia's mainland.
The mosquito is capable of transmitting up to 22 viruses, and Darwin's Menzies School of Health Research says there is growing concern that it will infiltrate the Australian mainland.
Researcher Bart Currie is part of the Northern Territory's surveillance team for emerging diseases and says the pest has been established on the Torres Strait Islands for about two years and a national strategy is needed to ensure it does not reach the mainland.
"The time is now to deal with that, and prevent it getting to the mainland," he says.
"From the experience that's happened in the Americas and in other parts of the world, this mosquito once it gets a foothold, it's going to be incredibly hard, if not impossible, to eradicate."
George Hapgood, who heads a Queensland Health program that it trying to eradicate the species from the Torres Strait Islands, says the program is only funded until next year and longer term commitment is needed.
"There is a need particularly with the Northern Territory and Western Australia to be aware of what's happening.
"I think it is of concern to the whole of Australia, not just Queensland."
Mr Currie agrees.
"This is one of these things where the whole issues of Commonwealth versus state responsibility is possibly leading to less activity than may be ideal in order to prevent the potential future problem which will be unable to be dealt with once it gets out of hand."