Evolution of mosquito-based arbovirus surveillance systems in Australia

van den Hurk, Andrew F., Hall-Mendelin, Sonja, Johansen, Cheryl A., Warrilow, David, and Ritchie, Scott A. (2012) Evolution of mosquito-based arbovirus surveillance systems in Australia. Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 2012. 325659. pp. 1-8.

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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.

Item ID: 26446
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 2314-6141
Funders: Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council Priority, Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre for Emerging Infectious Disease, Queensland Health
Date Deposited: 15 Apr 2013 05:40
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1108 Medical Microbiology > 110804 Medical Virology @ 100%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920404 Disease Distribution and Transmission (incl. Surveillance and Response) @ 100%
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