Aussie mozzies on the loose again

Health officials want the public to report hostile Australian mozzies after three southern saltmarsh mosquito larvae were found north of Auckland.

The southern saltmarsh mosquito can carry the debilitating Ross River virus and is an aggressive day-time biting mosquito.

Its larvae has been found at Whangaparaoa. The area was treated a month ago and thought to be free of the pest, said Sally Gilbert, the Health Ministry's chief technical officer.

The 0.42ha of swamp around Okoromai Bay, where the larvae were found, had been treated again and further traps set.

The mosquito had been eradicated from parts of Northland, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne and Marlborough .

But the ministry still monitors potential habitats for signs of the mosquito and the Whangaparaoa find has officials concerned that the Australian invaders may spread again.

Northland Health's health protection officer, Paul Reid, said the Whangaparaoa find showed the surveillance programme for the mosquito was working.

He said although the surveillance programme was continuing in Northland, mainly under the auspices of NZ BioSecure, public feedback was vital to see if the pest was established in the region.

"They are elusive little things to find, but many discoveries have been made following public notification."

- NZPA