Spatial analysis of the An. punctulatus group of malaria vectors in Australia and Papua New Guinea. [ 2002 - 2004 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Dr Anthony Sweeney (Principal investigator) ,  Dr Nigel Beebe ,  Dr Robert Cooper

Brief description Malaria has been eradicated from Australia but the country remains receptive to its reintroduction as the mosquitoes which transmit the disease are still present in the tropical north of the country. These are the Anopheles punctulatus group which are the major malaria vectors in the south west Pacific region. The Australian Army Malaria Institute conducted Operation Anopheles to collect these mosquitoes in northern Australia and Papua New Guinea by detailed surveys with the aid of helicopters and 4-wheel-drive vehicles. These surveys, which were made for a month each year between 1984-1998, represent the most detailed dataset of mosquito locality records that have ever been produced. This project will utilise the computing power of modern Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software and computer induction techniques to spatially map the range of the different mosquitoes collected during Operation Anopheles to highlight environmental characteristics which limit their distribution and to permit control activities to accurately target the species which actually transmit malaria.

Funding Amount $AUD 66,430.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant