Wind-blown mosquitoes and introduction of Japanese encephalitis into Australia

Emerg Infect Dis. 2001 Sep-Oct;7(5):900-3. doi: 10.3201/eid0705.017524.

Abstract

Backtrack simulation analysis indicates that wind-blown mosquitoes could have traveled from New Guinea to Australia, potentially introducing Japanese encephalitis virus. Large incursions of the virus in 1995 and 1998 were linked with low-pressure systems that sustained strong northerly winds from New Guinea to the Cape York Peninsula.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Computer Simulation
  • Culex / physiology*
  • Culex / virology
  • Encephalitis Virus, Japanese / isolation & purification
  • Encephalitis, Japanese / epidemiology
  • Encephalitis, Japanese / transmission*
  • Encephalitis, Japanese / virology
  • Flight, Animal / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Insect Vectors / physiology*
  • Insect Vectors / virology
  • Wind*