Competence of Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus Mosquitoes as Zika Virus Vectors, China

• DOI: 10.3201/eid2307.161528
• Publication Date: 2017-04-21T14:40:45Z
• Authors: Zhuanzhuan Liu; Tengfei Zhou; Zetian Lai; Zhenhong Zhang; Zhirong Jia; Guofa Zhou; Tricia Williams; Jiabao Xu; Jinbao Gu; Xiaohong Zhou; Lifeng Lin; Guiyun Yan; Xiao-Guang Chen
• Keywords: and promotion of well-being; Epidemiology; vector-borne infections; Clinical sciences; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Virus Replication; Zika virus; Aedes aegypti; 0302 clinical medicine; Aedes; 2.2 Factors relating to the physical environment; Viral; Aetiology; vector competence; Zika Virus Infection; R; Culex quinquefasciatus; Viral Load; Aedes albopictus; 3. Good health; Culex; Infectious Diseases; Medical Microbiology; Public Health and Health Services; Medicine; RNA, Viral; Female; Infection; China; Clinical Sciences; Microbiology; Cell Line; Vaccine Related; 03 medical and health sciences; Rare Diseases; Biodefense; Health services and systems; Animals; viruses; mosquitoes; 3.2 Interventions to alter physical and biological environmental risks; Biomedical and Clinical Sciences; Prevention; Research; Zika Virus; Prevention of disease and conditions; Insect Vectors; Vector-Borne Diseases; Emerging Infectious Diseases; Good Health and Well Being; RNA

In China, the prevention and control of Zika virus disease has been a public health threat since the first imported case was reported in February 2016. To determine the vector competence of potential vector mosquito species, we experimentally infected Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes and determined infection rates, dissemination rates, and transmission rates. We found the highest vector competence for the imported Zika virus in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes, some susceptibility of Ae. albopictus mosquitoes, but no transmission ability for Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. Considering that, in China, Ae. albopictus mosquitoes are widely distributed but Ae. aegypti mosquito distribution is limited, Ae. albopictus mosquitoes are a potential primary vector for Zika virus and should be targeted in vector control strategies.