Lack of evidence for Zika virus transmission by Culex mosquitoes

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Christopher M. Roundy, University of Texas Galveston; Sasha R. Azar, University of Texas Galveston; Aaron C. Brault, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases; Gregory D. Ebel, Colorado State University; Anna-Bella Failloux, Institut Pasteur, Paris; Ildefonso Fernandez-Salas, Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública; Uriel Kitron, Emory University; Laura D. Kramer, Wadsworth Center for Laboratories and Research; Ricardo Lourenço-de-Oliveira, Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Jorge E. Osorio, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Igor D. Paploski, Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Gonzalo M. Vazquez-Prokopec, Emory University; Guilherme S. Ribeiro, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil; Scott A. Ritchie, James Cook University; Laura B. Tauro, Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Nikos Vasilakis, University of Texas Galveston; Scott C. Weaver, University of Texas Galveston
• Language: English
• Date: 2017-01-01
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s) 2017
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/emi.2017.85
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Emerging Microbes & Infections
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 1
• End Page: 2
• Grant/Funding Information: None declared
• Keywords: Animals; Insect Vectors; Humans; Aedes; Culex; Zika Virus Infection; Zika Virus
• Research Categories: Biology, Entomology; Environmental Sciences; Biology, Virology; Biology, Microbiology; Health Sciences, Epidemiology

Abstract

Since Zika virus (ZIKV) emerged in the Americas, major research efforts have been focused on identifying the mosquito species responsible for transmission. While almost all published results support Aedes aegypti and potentially Ae. albopictus as urban vectors, a recent article1 suggests that Culex quinquefasciatus may serve as a ZIKV vector in Recife, Brazil, a region that has experienced a high incidence of infection. Accurately identifying the vector of a pathogen enables public health agencies to implement appropriate control strategies and inform citizens of proper prevention measures. Additionally, establishing the vector for an emerging pathogen paves the way for researchers to advance our understanding of virus–vector interactions and pursue novel methods of control. In contrast, erroneously incriminating a vector could lead to misdirected use of limited government funds, diversion of research efforts and misinforming the public through misdirected media and educational programs.