Exotic mosquito trapping launched in Auckland CBD after larvae found at Queens Wharf

Exotic mosquito larvae was found on Auckland's Queens Wharf. Photo / Supplied

Health NZ Te Whatu Ora has launched intensive monitoring and trapping after exotic mosquito larvae were found in Auckland’s city centre.

Health NZ said the aedes aegypti specimens, not normally found in New Zealand, were collected from a routine surveillance trap at Queens Wharf on Monday.

Medical officer of health Dr David Sinclair said there was no wider public health or biosecurity risk at this stage, as there was no indication the mosquitoes had formed a breeding population in the area.

Sinclair said the monitoring and trapping measures include ”searching for mosquito breeding sites, sampling for mosquito larvae, and removing or treating sites to prevent mosquito breeding".

He said exotic mosquitoes are occasionally detected at international ports and airports, but routine surveillance and control programmes managed any risk.

The monitoring programme will last three weeks and will centre on a 400m radius surrounding the trap where the larvae were found, Health NZ said.

During this period, health protection officers will lay traps in the survey zone.

“These have been hidden away from plain sight so they are not disturbed, for example in old tyres, bushes or pools of water,” Sinclair said.

“We ask members of the public to avoid touching or disturbing these traps if they find them, as it may disrupt our monitoring and trapping efforts.”

The public was asked to report any dead mosquitoes to 0800 669 943. The line will be open all hours.

“[They] can then be collected and tested to verify if they are an exotic specimen.”

Sinclair said some exotic mosquito species can carry serious diseases, including yellow fever virus, dengue fever, chikungunya virus and Zika virus, if they become established.

“New Zealanders are most at risk from diseases transmitted by mosquitoes when travelling abroad, including in Pacific Island countries and territories where dengue fever is currently known to be present,” he added.