Exotic Aedes receptacle survey of Mataranka and Katherine, 4-6 March 2003

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are the main mosquito vectors of dengue. Aedes albopictus is presently absent from the Northern Territory (NT). In March 2003, two MEB officers visited Mataranka and Katherine to conduct exotic Aedes receptacle surveys. The aim of the investigation was to determine whether exotic Aedes were present in these towns. Mataranka and Katherine are both on the main road connecting route between Queensland and Darwin. Aedes aegypti is endemic in Queensland and there is always the possibility of introduction of this species into the Territory from Queensland as desiccant resistant eggs