Zika Virus Vector Competency of Mosquitoes, Gulf Coast, United States

Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 Mar;23(3):559-560. doi: 10.3201/eid2303.161636. Epub 2017 Mar 15.

Abstract

Zika virus has recently spread throughout the Americas. Although Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are considered the primary vector, Culex quinquefasciatus and mosquitoes of other species may also be vectors. We tested Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. taeniorhynchus mosquitoes from the US Gulf Coast; both were refractory to infection and incapable of transmission.

Keywords: Aedes taeniorhynchus; Culex quinquefasciatus; Gulf Coast; United States; Zika; Zika virus; competence; mosquitoes; vector; vector-borne infections; viruses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aedes / virology*
  • Animals
  • Culex / virology*
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious
  • Insect Vectors / virology*
  • United States
  • Zika Virus / physiology*