There are many examples of development in the Darwin region that have led to enormous populations of a range of mosquito species, severely effecting residents in nearby areas and requiring costly rectification. To aid planners in their design of the proposed Newton development, the Medical Entomology section of the department of Health and Families has made collections of biting midges and mosquitoes form march 1984 to April 1985 in and around the proposed development area between the Elizabeth and Blackmore Rivers, south-west of Palmerston. Additional surveys of biting midge breeding areas were made in late 1987. This report analyses the result and suggest methods of minimising the adverse effects of the biting insect present in the proposed development area, and outlines some construction guidelines to avoid exacerbating the problem.

Incursions of the exotic Asian Tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, were detected in Darwin port areas in the Northern Territory on the 28 November and 5 December 2013. During both incursions, 1 adult female Ae. albopictus was collected in a Biogents (BG) sentinel trap at Toll Marine Logistics (TML) and the Darwin East Arm Wharf (EAW)respectively. Both incursions coincided with the berth of international vessels at the TML and EAW port facilities. In response to both incursions, all receptacles in the port facilities and adjacent premises were treated with residual insecticide and adult mosquito control (fogging) was carried out. Enhanced exotic mosquito surveillance was established to monitor for exotic mosquitoes. There have been no further detections of Ae. albopictus at TML or EAW.

Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) Ranger Mine is located in Kakadu National Park, adjacent to several arms of the Magela Creek and within flight range of mosquitoes from the extensive Magela Swamp. Weekly routine adult mosquito trapping in and adjacent to the nearby town of Jabiru consistently reveals very high numbers of pest and disease carrying mosquito species, generally in the post wet season and dry season months of April to August, and during a short period of a few weeks in the mid wet season. Low to moderate numbers of pest and disease carrying mosquito species are also encountered during most other months of the year. The presence of extended periods of high mosquito numbers translates to a significant potential for mosquito borne disease transmission in the Jabiru locality.The following report presents the results of brief field investigations in September and December 2005, a critical review of the nature and extent of natural mosquito breeding sites likely to affect Ranger Mine, outlines potential breeding sites at the mine site, outlines the adult mosquito and ovitrap program, and provides recommendations on how to manage potential mosquito issues at the mine site.

Dengue, a human arbovirus disease, is carried primarily by the dengue mosquito Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti and closely related mosquitoes such as Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus. The disease causes high fevers, severe headaches, and muscle and joint pains, with some cases presenting with internal or external bleeding.The Northern Territory (NT) of Australia is one of the few large areas in the tropics that does not have indigenous transmission of the mosquito borne disease dengue. The NT is both vulnerable and receptive to the importation of this species and other exotic Aedes species from QLD and overseas. The NT has maintained a dengue free status by both Federal and Territory programs designed to intercept and eradicate any importation of the vectors, and to reduce the receptivity at vulnerable locations. This paper outlines the various elements of the surveillance program, details of the eradication procedures and information on the current vulnerability for the importation and establishment of exotic Aedes mosquitoes.

There were 2 exotic mosquito incursions detected at the Darwin port in the Northern Territory on the 23rd April and 3rd May 2013. In April, 5 adult Aedes aegypti were collected in a Biogents (BG) sentinel trap, and 1 adult Ae. aegypti was collected in a BG trap on 3rd May. Larvae and pupae were subsequently detected in a routine DAFF Biosecurity sentinel tyre trap on 14th May. The April incursion coincided with the berth of an international vessel at the international Toll Marine Logistics (TML) port facility, while the May incursion coincided with a vessel travelling on a national route between Cairns, Gove and Darwin. In response to both incursions, all receptacles in the TML port facility and adjacent premises were treated with residual insecticide and adult mosquito control (fogging) was carried out. Enhanced exotic mosquito surveillance was established as per protocol, to monitor for exotic mosquitoes over a period of 7 weeks. There have been no further detections of any adults or larvae Ae. aegypti at TML.

A Perkins container ship arrived in Darwin Harbour from Singapore on Wednesday 10 May 2006 and docked at the international wharf at Perkins Shipping at 04.30. An Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services (AQIS) officer conducted a pre-clearance inspection of the container ship on Thursday 11 May 2006. A quarantine inspection of the container ship was then conducted by AQIS on the morning of Friday 12 May 2006. During this quarantine inspection, mosquito larvae were found breeding in water pooling at the bottom of 6 large earthmoving tyres. The tyres were stacked upright, and protruding from the top of an open, uncovered shipping container.

In the past malaria was endemic in the Northern Territory (NT), resulting in numerous deaths in the Aboriginal and mining communities. The last endemic case was reported in 1996, and Australia was declared malaria free in 1981. However, the Top End of the Northern Territory is still receptive to malaria. To help decrease the risk in the NT and to decrease the morbidity from malaria, a passive surveillance program has been complemented with an active screening and surveillance program for students arriving from countries with endemic malaria.

There have been few documented mosquito surveys in East Timor since the work of the Portuguese entomologists in the 1960's and early 70's. This included a widespread survey for malaria vectors (Ferreira and Breda 1961) and a survey for filariasis vectors (Pinhao 1969). The last survey in East Timor was a limited general mosquito survey of the Dili area in 1991 to provide advice on general mosquito control (Whelan 1999). Similarly there have been limited surveys in West Timor, with the last comprehensive survey for malaria vectors and a general mosquito survey in the early 1970's (Lien et at. 1975).The current survey in East Timor was undertaken as a consequence of the independence referendum and subsequent humanitarian crisis in September 1999. The widespread destruction of houses and breakdown of all public health services prompted a request from the WHO for entomological assistance to assess the potential for outbreaks of mosquito borne disease in Dili which is the principal city and was the centre for relief operations. The aim of the surveys were to determine the presence of pest and disease vector mosquitoes in Dili, and to determine their actual and potential breeding sites. The results were to be used to evaluate the potential for various mosquito borne diseases and to provide advice on mosquito control and disease prevention.

This report summarises the findings of an audit of the NT Community Services' management of their high risk clients, and lists 30 recommendations. The central objective of the audit was to assess whether current risk management strategies for client care in the Community Services Division reflect appropriate professional practice and models of care.

Risk management framework from 2005, includes risk management policy, register and forms

The salt marsh mosquito Ochlerotatus vigilax occurs seasonally in high pest numbers adjacent to the Darwin urban area. They breed primarily in the upper tidal zone in the nearby Leanyer swamp after inundation by extreme tides and rain. The historic Leanyer Air Weapons Range (LAWR) created a 90ha area of bomb craters, which were very productive breeding sites for Oc. vigilax. The Medical Entomology Branch (MEB) with support from the Mosquito Control Advisory Committee, has long urged the rectification by filling and levelling of the bomb craters. The Department of Defence commissioned the rectification of the LAWR in June 1998 at a projected cost of $1.7 million. The major engineering works were carried out between May and June 2000. The area in the vicinity of the LAWR requiring insecticide control reduced from an average of 82.7ha before to 8ha after rectification. The reduction in Oc. vigilax breeding is presented spatially and temporally through a Geographic Information System. The rectification of the LAWR is a success story for the Department of Health and Community Services, the Mosquito Control Advisory Committee and the Department of Defence, with significant benefits to the people of Darwin.

A combined Medical Entomology Branch and Alice Springs Environmental Health Section inspection of the Kings Canyon sewage ponds and sewage effluent dispersal area was carried out on the 21- 22 October 1994 to determine the nature and extent of any mosquito or other public health aspects arising from the facility, and to advise on both short and medium term rectification or management measures.

There has been no documented mosquito surveys carried out in East Timor since the work of Portuguese workers in the 1960's. The last was a Territory Health Service (THS) Medical Entomology Branch survey of Dili in September 1991 to assist the Indonesian government in controlling general mosquito problems of Dili. Following the referendum and subsequent humanitarian crisis in East Timor in September 1999 WHO requested THS to conduct a medical entomological survey of Dili.