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Review
. 2012:2012:325659.
doi: 10.1155/2012/325659. Epub 2012 Mar 11.

Evolution of mosquito-based arbovirus surveillance systems in Australia

Andrew F van den Hurk  1 , Sonja Hall-Mendelin, Cheryl A Johansen, David Warrilow, Scott A Ritchie
Affiliations
Review

Evolution of mosquito-based arbovirus surveillance systems in Australia

Andrew F van den Hurk et al. J Biomed Biotechnol. 2012.

Abstract

Control of arboviral disease is dependent on the sensitive and timely detection of elevated virus activity or the identification of emergent or exotic viruses. The emergence of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in northern Australia revealed numerous problems with performing arbovirus surveillance in remote locations. A sentinel pig programme detected JEV activity, although there were a number of financial, logistical, diagnostic and ethical limitations. A system was developed which detected viral RNA in mosquitoes collected by solar or propane powered CO₂-baited traps. However, this method was hampered by trap-component malfunction, microbial contamination and large mosquito numbers which overwhelmed diagnostic capabilities. A novel approach involves allowing mosquitoes within a box trap to probe a sugar-baited nucleic-acid preservation card that is processed for expectorated arboviruses. In a longitudinal field trial, both Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses were detected numerous times from multiple traps over different weeks. Further refinements, including the development of unpowered traps and use of yeast-generated CO₂, could enhance the applicability of this system to remote locations. New diagnostic technology, such as next generation sequencing and biosensors, will increase the capacity for recognizing emergent or exotic viruses, while cloud computing platforms will facilitate rapid dissemination of data.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Map of (a) Australia and (b) northern Queensland showing locations mentioned in the text.
Figure 2
Figure 2
CO2-baited updraft box trap deployed near Bunbury, Western Australia. (a) The trap is powered by a battery and baited with CO2 released from a compressed gas cylinder. (b) Close-up view of trap showing collected mosquitoes (photographs courtesy of Scott Dandridge).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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