University of Newcastle researchers are taking on one of Australia’s most prolific mosquitos, responsible for spreading the Ross River virus.
The three-year project is in collaboration with the University of Newcastle, CSIRO, the NSW Department of Health and the University of Melbourne, which will use genomic sequencing to inform suppression strategies for the Aedes vigilax mosquito.
The Aedes vigilax is one of Australia’s most widespread mosquito species, which can fly many kilometres within a lifetime and spread the Ross River virus.
Ross River virus is the most reported mosquito-borne disease in Australia. More than 4000 cases are reported yearly.
The Aedes vigilax mosquito is predominantly found in coastal wetlands, marshes and swamps, making the University of Newcastle, located in the Hunter River estuary, the perfect location to study the population.
A researcher from the University of Newcastle’s School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Dr Toby Mills, said the study was important in making efforts to control mosquito populations in the Hunter.
“The project is a part of the University of Newcastle’s Grand Challenge to reduce the burden that mosquitoes impose on human health and lessen the nuisance factor inflicted by mosquitoes in urban areas, including the Callaghan campus,” Dr Mills said.
“Following on from the collaborative genomics and trapping program, we will also be running a bi-monthly surveillance program through autumn, winter and spring to identify the presence of the mosquito ‘off-season’.
“In addition, we have developed an insectary and established Aedes vigilax colonies to further the research aims of the project.”
CSIRO research scientist Dr Brendan Trewin said new advances in genomic sequencing would underpin the project.
“Advances in technology mean we can sequence tiny amounts of DNA to track genetic differences of individual mosquito genomes and find distinct populations – a technique which has not been applied to this species before,” Dr Trewin said.
“This information will provide the foundation for the next phase of the project, which will assess the feasibility of controlling the Hunter Aedes vigilax population with Wolbachia, a natural bacteria which has been successfully used to suppress vector-borne disease in over 13 countries, including here in Australia.”
Using this genomic sequence approach, the team will look at closely related mosquito populations and determine relationships within and between populations in the Hunter estuary, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and throughout Australia.
Information source: Media release, The University of Newcastle