Researchers at Charles Darwin University (CDU) will soon be on the frontline of protecting Northern Australia against potentially severe animal blood borne diseases with a new project looking into the biting midges, an insect of concern for its potential to carry disease that could damage the Australian livestock industry.
Researchers at CDU's Research Institute for Northern Agriculture (RINA) will work with the Northern Territory's Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade to study biting midges, or Culicoides, and their ability to carry potentially serious or severe disease that can affect Australian livestock.
RINA's Professor of Tropical Biosecurity, Maxine Piggott said exotic diseases resulting from an infection transmitted to animals by blood feeding insects such as midges and mosquitoes are on the rise in Australia's northern neighbouring countries increasing the biosecurity risks to Northern Australia.
"Exotic vector borne diseases are becoming more prevalent in our neighbouring countries and due to this Australia needs to have effective surveillance for early detection," Professor Piggott said.
"Currently, there is a lack of knowledge on the natural pathways of insect vectors in disease spread in Northern Australia which will impact on preparedness and decision making should any of these exotic diseases cross Australian shores."
