QUEENSLAND Health is spraying and fogging for mosquitoes at bayside Lytton after two species of invasive mosquito were found.
It is believed the mosquitoes arrived with imported goods.
Queensland chief health officer Sonya Bennett said although the mossies could carry diseases like dengue, chikungunya or Zika virus, no immediate threat existed and there was no suggestion that the detections resented any risk of disease introduction.
“People should not be concerned if they see mosquito control measures, including spraying, being conducted in and around the Lytton area,” Dr Bennett said.
“These detections happen from time to time and we respond appropriately.
“Routine mosquito surveillance detected life stages of the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus).
“Further precautionary surveillance in adjacent areas detected a specimen of a different exotic mosquito – Aedes aegypti – in the Lytton commercial precinct.”
A departmental spokesman said a single mosquito of each species was found and there were no fears at this stage that they were carrying disease or were breeding.
Traps were routinely set up at the port.
Dr Bennett said both mosquitoes were likely to have come in via imported goods.
Precautionary measures had been taken, including fumigation, fogging and insecticide spraying of premises.
In response to the recent Aedes aegypti detection, additional inspections and trapping were being undertaken in surrounding locations.
Control measures were focused in commercial/industrial areas rather than residential locations.
Fire ants were found at the Port of Brisbane at Lytton in 2001 and were also thought to have been introduced in imported goods.
Hundreds of millions have been spent trying to contain and wipe out the pest which costs billions to control annually in the US.
