Arboviruses are transmitted between and replicate in arthropod vectors and susceptible vertebrate hosts.
The flaviviruses Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) and Kunjin virus (KUNV), and the alphaviruses Ross River virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest virus (BFV), are mosquito-borne arboviruses that can cause outbreaks of human disease in Australia.
The Arbovirus Surveillance and Research Laboratory (ASRL) at The University of Western Australia is funded by the Western Australian Department of Health (DOH) to monitor the activity of these and other medically important arboviruses in Western Australia.
Goals
The goals of the ASRL are to:
- Provide advance warning of arboviruses and vector mosquito activity.
- Increase the understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of arboviruses of public health importance and their inter-relationships between vectors, vertebrate hosts, the environment and human activities, to predict and be prepared for future outbreaks of human disease.
- Increase the speed, accuracy and sensitivity of the program.
The program provides WA Health and local government authorities with an early warning of the need to undertake vector management measures and issue media releases warning the public to take self-protective measures. It also provides accurate information to maximise the effect of current mosquito management programs, assists with the development of new control strategies, and directs strategies for public education and management of natural, rural and urban environments.
Ultimately, the aim of the program is to reduce the risk and incidence of mosquito-borne diseases in Western Australia.
School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences
University information
CRICOS Code: 00126G
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Last updated:
Tuesday, 23 June, 2009 4:35 PM
