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Bulk Mosquito Sampling

  • Mosquito-borne viruses will degrade in dead mosquitoes, unless they have a suitable preservative added or are kept at -80°C.
  • Virus transport media (VTM) is a liquid which can be added to mosquito samples to keep the virus stable at 4°C.
  • Bulk mosquito sampling involves the storage and transport of mosquitoes in VTM, providing an efficient way of undertaking surveillance and achieving timely results in regional locations.

Bulk mosquito sampling involves the storage and transport of mosquitoes in virus transport media (VTM), to maintain the integrity of mosquito-borne viruses at 4°C, without the need for dry ice or a -80°C freezer. It is an efficient way of achieving timely results to inform public health response activities.

This new method of mosquito storage and transport has been developed to allow stakeholders (e.g. local government) the ability to submit bulk mosquito collections to the Department for virus testing. It is specifically designed to support routine mosquito surveillance from regional and remote WA, particularly the north of the state, where it would otherwise not be possible.

Mosquitoes are tested using PCR for Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and West Nile virus strain Kunjin (WNVKUN), as well as Ross River virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest virus (BFV).

Providing early warning of virus activity is an important way of mitigating the risk associated with mosquito-borne disease to public health.

Who is eligible to participate

The bulk mosquito sampling program is currently open to regional local governments and other relevant stakeholders in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne regions only. It is anticipated this this program will be expanded more broadly in the future.

If you are located outside of the eligible regions and remain interested in participating in the bulk sampling program, please contact the Department to discuss your eligibility.

How to get involved

Contact the Department of Health to discuss how to get involved with the bulk mosquito sampling program: DOH.BulkMosquitoSubmission@health.wa.gov.au

Each participating stakeholder will be required to provide their own adult mosquito traps.

The Department will provide the remaining equipment required to participate in the program, including:

  • Specimen collection jars
  • Virus transport media
  • Plastic disposable pipettes
  • Permanent marker
  • Foam esky
  • Clear packing tape
  • Biohazard bag
What does bulk sampling require

Refer to the factsheet on Submitting bulk mosquito samples for arbovirus screening (PDF 633KB) for detailed information on:

  • materials you will need
  • storing bulk mosquitoes on VTM
  • transporting your samples for testing.
How to submit bulk samples

Bulk mosquito samples will need to be submitted to the Department of Health, to be tested by PathWest for MVE, JEV, WNVKUN, RRV and BFV.

Prior to doing this, a Bulk Sample Submission Form (excel 45.8KB) will need to be downloaded, to record all details related to the bulk mosquito surveillance data. In this process, please be sure to:

PathWest drop-off locations are situated at all regional hospitals and most health clinics. If you are unable to locate your nearest PathWest, please contact Medical Entomology.

More information

  • Medical Entomology

Phone: (08) 9285 5500

Email: medical.entomology@health.wa.gov.au

Last reviewed: 03-04-2025
wa.gov.au