Zika Epidemic Update: Zika Can Be Transmitted By A More Populated Culex Mosquito Species

Brazilian researchers confirmed that Zika virus can be transmitted by another species of mosquito known as Culex quinquefasciatus. The said development in the Zika virus research alarms public health officials in Brazil since the Culex mosquito's population is 20 times more than the previous known main vector species, the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

The said study further supports the same theory concluded by researchers from Northeasters City of Recife about Culex mosquito transmission. The confirmation of Culex mosquito as a vector was delayed due to an initial research conducted by CDC that concluded that a Culex mosquito species (Culex piens) cannot produce a successful transmission of the virus. However, it turned out that a relative Culex  mosquito species (Culex quinquefasciatus) was actually an active vector of the viral disease.

This is bad news particularly in Western Latin countries where the disease and outbreaks are wide spread. According to the fact sheet presented by CDC, the disease already reached more than 39 countries and territories including the US. The Zika epidemic already infected thousands of people across the globe.

US Center for Disease Control and Prevention's senior press officer said, "The study would need to be replicated to have a better understanding of possible implications. Body of scientific evidence to date clearly points to Aedes being the primary vector implicated in Zika outbreaks." as reported by CNN.

In a Washington Post report, Brazil is one of the countries heavily infected by the disease with a stagerring 1700 cases of infant microcephaly and other congenital defects. Constancia Ayres, a lead Zika researcher from Recife, Brazil who first suspected the potential of Culex mosquito as a vector, suggested to other Zika virus researchers, to confirm their findings. She said in the report: "It means that we have a second species of vector involved in transmission. And with this vector having totally different habits from Aedes aegypti, we will have to create new strategies to combat Culex as well."