Australia and yellow fever.

Date:
[1915?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Australia and yellow fever. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    74/124 (page 62)
    62: ,. Stegomyia faswata is.abundant, and occurs in great numbers inside the houses. .A complete inspection of the water tanks, carbide drums, and kerosene tins was made in the Japanese quarter. With the exception of three tanks out of about 100, Steyemyra fasciata larvee were found in great numbers. In several instances the larvee of Stegomyia fasciata were present in kerosene tins containing the water for daily use, since the tins were never completely emptied before being refilled. Culex fatigans is a less common mosquito than Stegomyia fasciata. The larvee were found in small numbers where the tanks were entirely open. On two occasions Culex fatigans larvee were found in open wells situated near houses; one about 8 feet deep contained only about 1 foot of water, which was swarming with the larvae. In the other, only a comparatively small number of larvee were found, which was probably due to the fact that water boatmen (Notonectide) were present. Neither larve nor adults of Nyssorhynchus annulipes were encountered, which was due to the absence of swamps and other water-holes on the island. COOKTOWN. Cooktown, situated at the mouth of the Endeavour River, is about 1,050 miles from Brisbane and 260 from Townsville. The population of the district, according to the last census, was 1,257 souls. The country in the district ts very hilly, and is covered with dense scrub. The land on the western side of the town adjoining the railway line, is low-lying and swampy, with many small and scattered collections of water, where the larvee of Culex sitiens and C. viligax occurred in large numbers. The dwelling houses are constructed of timber, either with verandahs to the front and back only, or are surrounded on all sides. The Chinese quarters, adjacent to the railway station, are built of galvanized iron, without verandahs. Rainwater is collected for domestic purposes in galvanized iron tanks, which are not mosquito-proof. Larvee of Stegomyia fasciata were found in the water tanks in large numbers. On one occasion several hundreds of larvee and pupez were found in two flower vases. An examination of domestic utensils, containing standing water, showed a similar condition. The adult mosquito also occurs in considerable numbers both by day and night. Culex fatigans is also a common mosquito, and breeds in kerosene tins, water tanks, and calcium cavbide drums. The adult mosquito was found commonly in living rooms in houses. Nyssorhynchus annulipes was not found in the town in either the adult ot larval stages, although the adults occur in the scrub around the town. Amongst other mosquitoes the following were also found :—Crlex srtiens, Wied; C.. vigilaz, Skuse; Chrysoconops acer, Walker; Pseudoskusea similis, Theobald; and P. basalts, Tayler.