By AINSLEY THOMSON
An exotic mosquito capable of transmitting serious diseases has been found at Christchurch Airport.
The pest, an Australian saltmarsh mosquito, was discovered on Monday during a routine inspection after insect spraying of a Virgin Blue plane from Melbourne.
It is the first time the mosquito has been found in
New Zealand.
The mosquito can pass on diseases including Kunjin virus, Murray Valley encephalitis and Ross River virus.
Murray Valley encephalitis and Kunjin virus can be fatal.
The Ministry of Health's deputy chief technical officer for biosecurity, Sally Gilbert, said if the aircraft had not been sprayed the mosquito could have established itself in New Zealand.
"We've never had an outbreak of a mosquito-borne disease in New Zealand and we want to keep it that way."
Crown Public Health protection staff have put in place biosecurity measures to trap any additional mosquitoes.
Meanwhile, a mosquito spraying programme has started in the Kaipara Harbour to control another exotic mosquito with a similar name - the southern saltmarsh mosquito.
The mosquito, which was first found in the Kaipara last February, is found in Australia and some Pacific islands and is a potential carrier of the Ross River virus, which can cause aching muscles and joints, fever, chills, headache and tiredness.
Symptoms generally last up to a month but can persist in older people.
Ross River virus can cause depression in about 10 per cent of its victims.
The Ministry of Health said infected sites were being sprayed with the biological spray Bti, which had undergone full health assessment, was not allergenic and left no long-term residue.
Feature: Conservation & Environment
