Unsealed rainwater tanks cover dengue epidemics: research – Xinhua

CANBERRA, May 3 (Xinhua) – Undiscovered outdoor rainwater reservoirs could trigger dengue outbreaks in Australia, the country's top science body said Friday.

A recent study published by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) revealed that rainwater tanks could provide a year-long protection for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the subtropical north from the country.

The results reverse earlier studies that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which infect hundreds of millions of people each year with dengue, zika, chikungunya and yellow fever, can not survive during the Australian winter, even though in the hottest regions of the country.

The CSIRO study found that 70% of mosquito larvae in water tanks and 50% in buckets survived until adulthood.

More than 40% of households in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, have rainwater tanks. CSIRO has urged them to check their tanks to make sure they are well covered and, if they are not, to look for mosquitoes living in the water.

"The last time Brisbane was marked by significant outbreaks of Aedes aegypti and dengue fever, it also contained many unsealed rainwater reservoirs.Our research suggests that the decision to withdraw them in the 1950s was one of the keys to fighting disease-carrying mosquitoes Brendan Trewin, CSIRO scientist, said in a press release.

"We do not suggest that rainwater tanks be removed, but we think it's important for people to know that if their rainwater tanks are not well maintained, Large areas of southern Australia could see the return of Aedes aegypti and other exotic diseases, vectors, with potentially serious consequences for Australian public health. "

Trewin stated that people who were modifying their tanks, such as removing the screen that picks up roof sheets and gutters, were a major risk factor.

"Biosecurity is just as important in the backyard as at the border," he said.

"People need to check that their water tanks are compliant, completely sealed and unable to let mosquitoes in or out of their tanks."