advertisement
Science News
from research organizations

California Aedes mosquitoes capable of spreading Zika

Date:
June 21, 2018
Source:
PLOS
Summary:
Over the last five years, Zika virus has emerged as a significant global human health threat following outbreaks in South and Central America. Now, researchers have shown that invasive mosquitoes in California -- where cases of Zika in travelers have been a regular occurrence in recent years -- are capable of transmitting Zika.
Share:
advertisement

FULL STORY

Over the last five years, Zika virus has emerged as a significant global human health threat following outbreaks in South and Central America. Now, researchers reporting inPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseaseshave shown that invasive mosquitoes in California -- where cases of Zika in travelers have been a regular occurrence in recent years -- are capable of transmitting Zika.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus that has been known for more than a half century, but recently gained attention after it began spreading through South America and was confirmed as a cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome and congenital Zika syndrome in infants. Several species ofAedesmosquitoes have been confirmed as vectors of ZIKV in the lab. But studies have also suggested that mosquitoes of the same species from different regions may have different competencies as vectors.

In the new work, Lark Coffey and Chris Barker of the University of California, Davis, USA, and their research teams infected CalifornianAedes aegypti,Culex tarsalis, andCulex quinquefasciatuswith three different strains of ZIKV -- one from a 2015 Puerto Rico outbreak, one from a Brazil outbreak in 2015, and an ancestral strain from Malaysia in 1966. Each mosquito was allowed to feed on an infected mouse and was then followed to determine if it could transmit ZIKV.

No ZIKV was detected in the saliva of eitherCulexmosquito species 14 and 21 days after infection. However, 85 to 90 percent of theAedesmosquitoes had ZIKV RNA in their saliva, for all strains of the virus. Transmission rates were similar between viruses. On average, mosquitoes infected with the Malaysian strain of ZIKV had the highest levels of viral RNA.

"Understanding the mosquito species that vector ZIKV is important for estimating regional outbreak potential and for informing local mosquito control strategies," the researchers say. "Vector control efforts targeting ZIKV should remain focused on reducing urbanAedespopulations."

advertisement

Story Source:

Materials provided byPLOS.注意:内容可能被编辑风格d length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Bradley J. Main, Jay Nicholson, Olivia C. Winokur, Cody Steiner, Kasen K. Riemersma, Jackson Stuart, Ryan Takeshita, Michelle Krasnec, Christopher M. Barker, Lark L. Coffey.Vector competence of Aedes aegypti, Culex tarsalis, and Culex quinquefasciatus from California for Zika virus.PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2018; 12 (6): e0006524 DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0006524

Cite This Page:

PLOS. "California Aedes mosquitoes capable of spreading Zika." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 21 June 2018. /releases/2018/06/180621141022.htm>.
PLOS. (2018, June 21). California Aedes mosquitoes capable of spreading Zika.ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 13, 2023 from www.koonmotors.com/releases/2018/06/180621141022.htm
PLOS. "California Aedes mosquitoes capable of spreading Zika." ScienceDaily. www.koonmotors.com/releases/2018/06/180621141022.htm (accessed August 13, 2023).

Explore More
from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES