Arbovirus and mosquito monitoring reports

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 1 – Low (August 2025)

The following season indicators were considered when setting this season’s response level to 1, low risk as of August 2025.

  • Below average rainfall recorded in the previous spring / summer (2024).
  • No human cases of flavivirus (MVEV, JEV, WNV (Kunjin Strain) ) were recorded in South Australia throughout the 2024-25 mosquito season.
  • Low numbers of mosquitoes and lower levels of vector mosquitoes were observed in 2024-25 season surveillance traps when compared to higher risk seasons.
  • No flavivirus was detected in any mosquitoes caught in South Australian surveillance traps throughout the 2024-25 season.
  • No flavivirus was detected in any South Australian sentinel chicken flocks throughout the 2024-25 season.

The Health Protection Programs team will continue to monitor season indicators as listed in the South Australian Arbovirus and Mosquito Monitoring and Control Plan(PDF 551KB) as the 2025-26 season progresses and response level may be modified accordingly.

Graded response level

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.

Monthly SA arbovirus and mosquito reports

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:

  • mosquito abundance at trapping sites
  • arbovirus disease notifications
  • arboviral detections in mosquitoes and sentinel chicken flocks
  • meteorological data relevant to mosquito abundance.

Monthly reports

See below the previous season (April to September) reports:

Annual reports

The South Australian Arbovirus and Mosquito Monitoring and Control Annual Report for the 2024-2025 season (PDF 1.4MB) 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.

Previous reports

Mosquito surveillance

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.

Sentinel chicken surveillance

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

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: