Human disease causing viruses vectored by mosquitoes

Authors: GOUGE, DAWN - University Of Arizona; Hagler, James; WALKER, KATHLEEN - University Of Arizona; LI, SHUJUAN - University Of Arizona; NAIR, SHAKU - University Of Arizona; BIBBS, CHRISTOPHER - Anastasia Mosquito Control District; SUMNER, CHRIS - Yuma County Pest Abatement District; SMITH, KIRK - Maricopa County Environmental Services, Vector Control

Submitted to: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2017
Publication Date: 9/13/2017
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/5832851
Citation: Gouge, D.H., Hagler, J.R., Walker, K., Li, S., Nair, S., Bibbs, C.S., Sumner, C., Smith, K.A. 2017. Human disease causing viruses vectored by mosquitoes. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. 1744:1-10.

Interpretive Summary: There are a number of disease-causing viruses transmitted to people through the bite of infected mosquitoes. This paper describes the biology and ecology of mosquito species that are present in Arizona that are capable of transmitting diseases to humans and other vertebrates. In addition, a description of the symptoms of the various diseases (i.e., St. Louis encephalitis virus, western equine encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, Zika virus, etc.) are described. Finally, this publication provides the general public with information on simple methods that can used to reduce the chance of contracting a disease caused by a bite of a mosquito.

Technical Abstract: There are a number of disease-causing viruses transmitted to people primarily through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Female mosquitoes take blood meals to produce eggs (Fig. 1). A mosquito that bites an infected animal may pick up a virus within the blood meal. If the mosquito is the appropriate species, and conditions inside the insect and the surrounding environment are supportive, the virus reproduces within the mosquito. Later, the mosquito may pass the virus on to other animals (including humans) as they feed again. Not all mosquitoes vector (transmit) viral diseases to humans, and specific mosquito species vector specific viruses. The successful replication and transmission of viruses in mosquitoes depends on several factors, the most important being the compatibility of the vector, ambient temperature and humidity (higher temperatures often accelerate virus replication), and mosquito life span. Some arboviruses (arthropod-borne, primarily insects and ticks) such as St. Louis encephalitis virus and western equine encephalitis (Fig. 1). Aedes aegypti female taking a blood-meal. Alex Wild, alexanderwild.com virus have been present in the United States for many years. Others are relatively recent introductions, such as West Nile virus, and many more are emerging as public health threats, including dengue virus, chikungunya virus, and Zika virus. The increasing circulation of arboviruses that threaten human health (Fig. 2) may be due to many factors including: climate change; increase in wildland-urban interface; globalization trends; widespread use of plastic containers and packaging (which provides habitat for species that breed in manmade water-holding containers); decreased funding for research and vector control; the development of pesticide resistance; and a lack of new management tools.