New disease-carrying mosquito found in Australia

An aggressive, disease-carrying species of mosquito regarded as a public health threat has been discovered in far north Queensland.

The Asian tiger mosquito, or Aedes albopictus, drinks blood to survive and lives in a variety of climates.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on Tuesday that it spreads dengue fever, Ross River virus and chikungunya.

All of these illnesses cause long lasting malaise, muscle ache, joint swelling and other pains.

Australian state and federal authorities have been trying to keep the mosquito out of mainland Australia through a monitoring and trapping program at international seaports.

Dr Roscoe Taylor from Queensland Health's Tropical Public Health Service said an adult female mosquito was caught next to a berth for international vessels in the port of Cairns on August 12.

"(It) very probably came from one of three ships that visited the port in the preceding week or so," he said.

The Asian tiger mosquito has not been found on the mainland since April last year when it was detected in Perth.

"This is a significant mosquito for Australia because we don't want it on our mainland; it already exists in the Torres Strait," Taylor said. Endi