The Health Ministry will start spreading a growth regulator around Kaipara Harbour from today as it seeks to eradicate disease-carrying exotic mosquitoes.
The mosquito growth regulator S-methoprene, used in the southern saltmarsh mosquito eradication programmes in Hawkes Bay and Tairawhiti, is to be applied in pellet form around the harbour.
"There hasnever been an outbreak of a mosquito-borne disease in New Zealand and we want to keep it that way," said the ministry chief technical officer for health Sally Gilbert.
The southern saltmarsh mosquito is a potential carrier of the Ross River virus disease.
Symptoms of the disease include pain and tenderness in muscles and joints, fever, chills, sweating, a headache and tiredness. A rash may also briefly appear on the torso and limbs.
Southern saltmarsh mosquito larvae were found in the Rodney District of Kaipara Harbour in February last year. Since then, the mosquitoes have been found in about 2700ha of habitat around the harbour.
Extensive public consultation work and ground and aerial mapping of the area have taken place in the lead-up to the full eradication programme.
Ms Gilbert said the Government approved the use of a full-scale eradication programme around the area in June.
This means a two-pronged attack with biological spray Bti, which isbeing used at present, and S-methoprene, which has not yet been used in the area.
"We're targeting the lifecycle of the southern saltmarsh mosquito over two summers to ensure we treat over two breeding seasons," she said.
Ms Gilbert said Bti and S-methoprene had been given full health-impact assessments and left no long-term residue.
Disruption to the public would be limited as most sites being treated were in remote areas.
All affected landowners had been contacted and the control agents would be applied from helicopters, quad bikes and people on foot.
People wanting updated information on the application programme and sites can call 0800 MOZZIE (0800 669-943).
