Surveillance program targets rare mosquito species

A little-known mosquito species capable of carrying disease is the focus of a new monitoring program in the Borough of Queenscliffe.

The borough has joined a statewide surveillance effort, supporting by $8,000 in funding from the Victorian Department of Health, to track Aedes vigilax, or the summer saltmarsh mosquito.

The species is rarely recorded in southern Victoria but was identified in small numbers during the 2024–25 summer, prompting expanded monitoring across eight participating local government areas.

A borough spokesperson said the municipality was selected due to its saltmarsh environment, which provides favourable breeding conditions for the species. “Conducting mosquito surveillance across the Borough of Queenscliffe will build our knowledge and understanding of the risk of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases to our residents,” the spokesperson said.

“To date, the summer saltmarsh mosquito has not been detected in the borough.”

Trapping began in February and will continue through April, with officers setting and collecting traps, recording weekly data and submitting samples for laboratory analysis.

The summer saltmarsh mosquito is known in other parts of Australia to carry Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses, which can cause symptoms including fever, joint pain, fatigue and headaches, although most people recover within three to six weeks.

The funding supports the monitoring of the summer saltmarsh mosquito only and does not include mosquito treatment works, which continue separately through a long-running regional program delivered by the City of Greater Geelong.

Residents are encouraged to take simple precautions during peak mosquito periods, including using insect repellent, wearing long clothing, avoiding outdoor exposure at dawn and dusk, and removing standing water around homes.