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Diseases spread by exotic mosquitoes
The transmission of human diseases by mosquitoes is a significant international public health threat.
AQIS monitors for mosquitoes for a distance of at least 400 metres around the perimeters all of Australia’s ports of entry for international vessels and at Australia’s international airports. Monitoring involves trapping larvae and adults, and identifying them to both detect exotic species and to ensure that disease-carrying species present in Australia aren’t accidentally ‘exported’.
Australia is also one of about 40 countries that require the spraying (disinsection) of international aircraft cabins and holds to kill insects that transmit human diseases.
AQIS monitors aircraft disinsection treatments on behalf of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. The treatments use a hypo-allergenic World Health Organization (WHO) approved insecticide that employs synthetic pyrethrin compounds.
AQIS provides a range of options for aircraft disinsection:
- residual disinsection —empty aircraft are sprayed to provide residual protection for eight weeks;
- pre-embarkation disinsection — cabin crew spray the aircraft before passengers board at the last port before departure for Australia. The treatment lasts through the flight;
- top-of descent treatment — cabin crew spray before passengers embark and again just before landing; and
- on-arrival treatment — cabin crew spray aircraft before disembarkation.
WHO has carried out several reviews of aircraft disinsection. Its Expert Committee on Vector Biology and Control has reported that there are ‘no reports of adverse human responses to aircraft disinsection identifiable in the literature,’ and the Department of Health and Ageing has not indicated that it intends to alter Australia’s requirements for aircraft disinsection.