Importation of Aedes albopictus in Townsville, Queensland.

The mosquito Aedes albopictus (Ae. albopictus) is a vector of dengue virus in southeast Asia. However, it is most notable for its accidental introductions into and subsequent colonisation of new areas. Ae. albopictus importations, primarily via used tyres infested with eggs, have been documented in the United States of America, Europe and Australia. The vector has become established in the southeastern part of the United States of America and parts of southern Europe. In the USA, the establishment of Ae albopictus in temperate regions has extended the area at potential risk for the introduction of dengue and other arboviral diseases. To date, in these newly colonised areas, there has been no evidence of dengue transmission and the vector has not been implicated in outbreaks of other arboviral diseases. However, eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus has been isolated from wild populations of Ae.albopictus in the United States of America.