National Arbovirus Monitoring Program
The National Arbovirus Monitoring Program (NAMP) monitors the distribution of economically important arboviruses (insect-borne viruses) of ruminant livestock and associated insect vectors in Australia. Arboviruses monitored by NAMP include bluetongue, Akabane and bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) viruses.
NAMP data are gathered throughout Australia by serological monitoring of cattle in sentinel herds and strategic serological surveys of other cattle herds (serosurveys) and trapping of insect vectors. The program maintains a database management system and publishes an Annual Report.
The NAMP is an ongoing collaboration between its primary beneficiaries: the cattle, sheep and goat industries; the livestock export industry; and the state, territory and Australian governments.
Objectives of the NAMP are:
- market access – to facilitate the export of live cattle, sheep and goats, and ruminant genetic material, to countries with concerns about bluetongue, Akabane and bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) viruses
- bluetongue early warning – to detect incursions of exotic strains of bluetongue virus (BTV) and vectors (Culicoides species biting midges) into Australia by surveillance of the northern BTV epidemic area.
- risk management – to detect changes in the seasonal distribution in Australia of endemic bluetongue, Akabane and BEF viruses and their vectors, to support livestock exporters.
Figure 1 Locations of NAMP virology monitoring sites (2015-16 arbovirus transmission season)
Limits of bluetongue virus transmission
The limit of BTV transmission in Australia are shown on the interactive BTV zone map , which defines the areas in which no viral transmission* has been detected for the past 2 years.
Contact Officers
If you would like more information about the National Arbovirus Monitoring Program, please contact the relevant officer listed.
Related Links
- NAMP Interactive BTV Zone Map
- NAMP Annual Reports
- NAMP Database Management System Program Personnel Login