8 Mar 2016

No Zika in mosquito larvae found at Auckland Airport

4:40 pm on 8 March 2016

The Ministry of Health says two mosquito larvae found in a trap at Auckland Airport were not carrying the Zika virus.

The Ministry says staff found the yellow fever mosquito larvae near the international baggage area last Thursday.

The species can carry a number of diseases including yellow fever, dengue fever, the Ross River virus, and the Zika virus.

Acting director of public health, Stewart Jesamine said the larvae were likely to have been laid by an adult female who arrived in someone's luggage.

Dr Jesamine said the larvae were incapable of carrying the Zika virus.