PROGRESS SNAPSHOT:

• We are seeing sustained high levels of Wolbachia in several suburbs.

• We have completed releases across most of inner Townsville.

• More than 5000 residents have signed up to support our field trial.

• 100 students have participated in our world-first Wolbachia Warriors school program.

• We are looking for participants in Mount Louisa, Cranbrook, Kirwan, Heatley and Thuringowa Central.

Wolbachia levels hit a high A year after releasing the first mosquito with Wolbachia in Townsville, we are excited to announce almost all the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are now carrying Wolbachia in seven suburbs. This means we are successfully working towards our goal of establishing Wolbachia in Townsville’s mosquito population, and eventually reducing the risk of dengue transmission in our city.

Wolbachia levels in North Ward, Castle Hill, West End, Garbutt, Aitkenvale, Mundingburra and Rosslea have remained above 80% for a number of weeks and we hope to see this trend continue long-term. Although levels are slightly lower in Townsville City, South Townsville, Railway Estate, Belgian Gardens, Currajong, Vincent, Gulliver, Hyde

Park and Pimlico, we are still seeing most mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia, with levels continuing to increase. Wolbachia mosquito releases continue in Hermit Park and Mysterton.

Thank you to everyone who has signed up to participate in our Townsville field trial. Even with the positive results, we remind you to continue to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

TOWNSVILLE FIELD TRIAL UPDATEOCTOBER 2015

SOUTHTOWNSVILLE

TOWNSVILLE CITY

NORTHWARD

CASTLE HILL

WESTEND

BELGIANGARDENS

GARBUTT

VINCENT

CURRAJONG

GULLIVER

HYDEPARK

HERMITPARK

RAILWAYESTATE

ROSSLEAMUNDINGBURRA

AITKENVALE

PIMLICO

MYSTERTON

N

MEDLOW HIGH

WOLBACHIA LEVELLOW: some mosquitoes carry Wolbachia (less than 50%)

MED: most mosquitoes carry Wolbachia (50 - 80%)HIGH: almost all mosquitoes carry Wolbachia (more than 80%)

RESULTS AS AT SEPTEMBER 2015

eliminatedengue.com/townsville PAGE 1 OF 2

Almost all mosquitoes in North Ward, Castle Hill, West End, Garbutt, Aitkenvale, Mundingburra and Rosslea now carry Wolbachia.

Wolbachia levels in Townsville City, South Townsville, Railway Estate, Belgian Gardens, Currajong, Vincent, Gulliver, Hyde Park, Pimlico Hermit Park and Mysterton are continuing to increase.

We plan to begin releases in Kirwan, Mount Louisa, Cranbrook, Heatley and Thuringowa Central in early 2016.

MEET OUR TEAM

We are taking part in several community events throughout 2015, including markets, school presentations and cultural events. Please stop by and meet our team at the Greek Fest on 10th-11th October & India Fest on 24th October at Riverway.

PAGE 2 OF 2TOWNSVILLE FIELD TRIAL UPDATE / OCTOBER 2015

SPREAD THE WORD!We are currently looking to expand our field trial to five more suburbs - Kirwan, Mount Louisa, Cranbrook, Heatley and Thuringowa Central - to be followed by even more suburbs in 2016.

Until now, people have been welcoming us into their yards to carry out our research. Now - for the first time - we’re asking locals to take the lead by growing and releasing their own Wolbachia mosquitoes. With the help of the community, we hope to establish Wolbachia in the mosquito population, reducing local dengue transmission. The key to the success of the trial is having enough people involved - so please help us spread the word.

If you know people living in these areas, encourage them to join our team at signuptownsville.com

During the next stage of releases we will be trialling a new type of mosquito release container, a mozzie box. This new container is easy to use, allowing residents to carry out DIY mosquito releases. It will take less than a minute for participants to set up the mozzie box in a shady place outside and we will deliver a new one every fortnight for approximately 10-12 weeks.

By working more closely with the community, we hope to learn how to refine our approach for dengue-affected countries around the world, where millions of people get dengue every year.

Free call: 1800 005 622Email: townsville@eliminatedengue.comOffice: Unit 6/7 Barlow Street, South Townsville

Like us on Facebook Eliminate Dengue Townsville

eliminatedengue.com/townsville

WOLBACHIA WARRIORSIn another world-first for Townsville, over 100 Hermit Park State School students have completed their involvement in our Wolbachia Warriors program, growing and releasing Wolbachia mosquitoes in their own backyards. By helping to establish Wolbachia in the local area, they are showing how easy it is to get behind the research project and potentially help millions of people around the world.

Students have learnt about science in a fun and hands-on way during the program, carrying out three Wolbachia mosquito releases over nine weeks while gathering observational data. We would like to congratulate all the students and their families on their terrific effort!

We are currently talking to other local schools about their opportunity to take part in a similar program in 2016, contributing to international research from their own backyards.

Fill halfway with water

Add Wolbachia mosquito eggs & food

Close container & place in shady spot outside

3 EASYSTEPS

1

3

2

Twoweeks