NZBEL 2023

Kia ora koutou katoa, we hope you are all safe and dry after the heavy rain affecting the upper North Island. The mozzie numbers are already showing the weather effects with more than a 100% increase compared to the previous month. Find some tips to help you protect yourself from mosquito bites and have fun with the Bite of Humour section.

In the news this month learn about; the increase in dengue cases in Malaysia and Bangladesh, a new class of sulphonamides that prevent mosquitoes from transmitting malaria, also, new vaccines against malaria that use part of the protozoan Plasmodium falciparum as the antigenic agent, and. predictive models used to determine the effect of poverty and climatic variables on the rate of serotype distribution and severe dengue in Mexico.

Kia ora koutou katoa, World Malaria Day takes place on 25 April each year. It is an internationally recognised day, highlighting the global efforts to control malaria and celebrate the gains that have been made. This year will be marked under the theme “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement”. Within this theme, WHO will focus on the critical importance of reaching marginalized populations with the tools and strategies that are available today. In the news this month, read about the development of new repellents that might change our relationship with mosquitoes for the best. Learn about the 10 year World Mosquito Program to release Wolbachia carrying mosquitoes in Brazil...and more

Kia ora koutou katoa, as the cold weather is still here, the mosquito numbers are low, and as you will notice in the Surveillance section below, the numbers are lower than this month last year and last month! In the news read about how the weather conditions across the globe are having an impact on the mosquito and tick numbers and the diseases that they transmit, including locally acquired cases of malaria in Florida and Texas, a surge in the number of cases of chikungunya in Mumbai and more...

Kia ora koutou katoa, we had the pleasure of meeting a whole bunch of amazing HPO’s at the Medical Vectors Surveillance Workshop for 2023 in Auckland. We hope you enjoyed the workshop as much as we did! In the news this month, read about how the release of mosquitos carrying Wolbachia has decreased the rate of dengue, and how atovaquone could be a promising, long-acting “chemical vaccine” to target malaria. Then take a look at how different species of gut bacteria have been linked to an increased risk of severe malaria, and the annual statewide mosquito survey that is occurring in New South Wales, Australia...and more

Kia ora koutou katoa, now that bed bugs are spreading in Europe, especially in France where the Olympic Games will be held next year, we have prepared some information for you to learn more about bed bugs. Do not miss next month’s newsletter to learn how to protect yourself against these creepy creatures. Also, scroll down to have a look at the new section “This is how we do it” and the news...

Kia ora koutou katoa, we hope that everyone has had a fantastic holiday period and a great start to 2024! In the news this month, read about the threat of mosquito-borne diseases on the rise, have a look at some more theories why some people seem to attract more mosquitoes than others, then why some countries may not be prepared for the growing threat of mosquito and tick borne viruses, and the impact that mosquito borne viruses have had on some Australian families and their campaigns to increase awareness...and more.