SA Health is the lead control agency in South Australia for human disease epidemics, including outbreaks of serious human arboviral disease. We work collaboratively with local councils (as relevant public health authorities for their areas) to support arbovirus prevention and mosquito surveillance and control programs.
Current hierarchy of response level 2 – Medium (March 2025)
On 8 January 2025, SA Health raised the mosquito-borne disease threat level to 2 (medium) in South Australia. This was because of the following recent interstate flavivirus detections:
The data contained within the monthly reports determines the appropriate graded response in accordance with the South Australian Arbovirus and Mosquito Monitoring and Control Plan (PDF 551KB) hierarchy of response. The Plan provides for the management of risks related to mosquito borne disease in SA.
The SA arbovirus and mosquito reports summarise the most recent available data to inform the current level of risk of mosquito-borne disease in SA. The reports detail:
See below the previous 12 months reports:
The South Australian Arbovirus and Mosquito Monitoring and Control Annual Report for the 2023-2024 season (PDF 1MB) summarises mosquito-borne disease notification data from South Australia, as well as the various mosquito surveillance and control activities undertaken by the Department for Health and Wellbeing and local health authorities across the state.
Nine councils in areas that are high-risk for mosquito-borne disease or subject to periods of severe nuisance biting currently participate in a mosquito surveillance program. Mosquitoes trapped are submitted to the Agriculture Victoria Research laboratory for mosquito species identification, counting and viral testing. Data is reported to SA Health for monitoring and analysis.
The absence of positive detections does not mean there are no infected mosquitos in the area. The risk of mosquito-borne disease is high across South Australia, so it’s important to Fight the Bite and avoid being bitten.
Seven flocks of five chickens each have been established in South Australia to check for infection of JEV, MVEV and WNV/KUN. Blood samples are collected from the chickens during peak mosquito season. The aim of the program is to monitor for viruses in the environment. Chickens are a good indicator of serious mosquito-borne disease risk to the community, as they readily produce antibodies to these viruses if infected, without developing symptoms.
Integrated mosquito management promotes and integrates practices throughout SA to ensure that these programs are as effective, economical and environmentally sensitive as possible. Part of integrated mosquito management includes having a:
