As always we welcome feedback on our newsletters, if at any time you have some suggestions, or you would like to see any additional inclusions in the newsletter please let us know; "taxonomy@nzbiosecure.net.nz".
January 2024
February 2024
Kia ora koutou, we hope that everyone is enjoying the nice weather and avoiding mozzie bites as summer heats up! In the news this month have a look at Dengue case numbers in South-East Asia and the Western Pacific, over the course of 2023, as reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Read about an increase in Dengue cases in South America that has led to a new vaccine campaign in Brazil, and insect spray shortages in Argentina. See how weeks of rain in Queensland has increased the risk of Ross River Virus, then learn why you should avoid using some alternative insect-repellent products sold in supermarkets and pharmacies...and more
Kai ora koutou, there has been a lot of hard mahi going on all around the country this month. Check out a fantastic photo sent in from Christchurch of the team while out checking some of their enhanced surveillance traps.
In the news this month have a look at how the detection of Zika virus in a neighbourhood in Singapore has caused renewed vigilance for the virus, and how a prior infection with Zika virus increased the risk of severe dengue. Also have a look at how deforestation increases the risk of childhood malaria, and the effects of climate change on the expansion of West Nile virus in Europe...and more
March 2024
April 2024
Kia ora koutou katoa, With decreasing temperatures around the country, mosquito numbers have been following suit. This also indicates that it is the perfect time of the year to start checking your tyre traps fortnightly in the cooler regions. In the news this month, read about the surge of dengue cases in the Americas, yellow fever in Africa, and Ross River across the ditch. Also, learn more about the secret life of mosquitoes and their role in the ecosystems. Finally, have a look at the strategies being used in Paris to stop the Asian tiger mosquito from spoiling the Olympic Games 2024. Happy reading!
Kia ora koutou katoa, This month has been particularly busy for all of us involved in our local mosquito world, We very much appreciate everyone’s efforts and support! World Malaria Day 25 April: This year was marked under the theme “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world”. WHO joins the RBM Partnership to End Malaria and other partners in highlighting barriers to health equity, gender equality and human rights in malaria responses worldwide – as well as concrete measures to overcome them. Mosquito numbers for this month together with the answers to the riddle for the best mosquito photo of the months we portrayed last month are below. Happy Reading!
May 2024
June 2024
Kia ora koutou katoa, We hope everyone is keeping warm and dry with all the winter weather that has started throughout the country over the last few weeks! Once again another very busy month, both for Public Health staff out in the field, and in the lab. Rest assured equipment and consumables will be provided for routine surveillance traps when required. Mosquito numbers for this month are below, along with a special bite of humour created by the lab to reflect their thoughts on the Culex pipiens complex, which has been the focus of the recent interceptions. As always, we very much appreciate everyone’s efforts and support!
Kia ora koutou katoa, Winter has definitely arrived and we hope everyone is keeping warm and dry.
Another short newsletter and another busy month; Nelson Port Interception surveillance is ongoing and Shanghai air can exotic response continued. We have also been busy with the supply of routine surveillance equipment and consumables, and maintenance of traps, ensuring you have what you need to continue your winter surveillance programme.
As always, we very much appreciate everyone’s efforts and support & welcome Francisco!
July 2024
August 2024
Kia ora koutou katoa, another busy month here in the lab with the responses in Nelson and Auckland continuing and preparation for the Border Health and Ship Sanitation Certification Course here in Wellington. As always it was fantastic to meet you all at the course and we hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did! Read a quick fact sheet about Bti and its use. You can also find a short breakdown of the Culex pipiens complex.
Kia ora koutou katoa, Spring has sprung and things have started to look a bit quieter here in the lab with the retrospective samples completed and winter keeping mosquito numbers down. A gentle reminder of what information is to be recorded for the weather section of the online database and some news! In the news this month; World Mosquito Day occurs in August, learn about Eastern Equine Encephalitis in the New England states and how Hurricane Beryl has increased mosquito numbers and therefore the risk of mosquito borne viruses in Houston...and more