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Scientists wrestle with possibility of second Zika-spreading mosquito
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BY SUSAN MILIUS 4:30PM, MAY 16, 2016
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Figuring out the role of Ae. albopictus in the current sweep of Zika through the Americas is ?critically important,? says Lauren Gardner of the University of New South Wales in Sydney. Gardner specializes in analyzing how widespread human systems, such as transportation, affect the spread of disease. In the May issue of Lancet Infectious Diseases, she and colleagues argue that adding Ae. albopictus as a second spreader of Zika virus makes a big difference in how the epidemic might play out worldwide. In North America for instance, with just Ae. aegypti as the major vector, the researchers predict a high risk of Zika virus spreading mostly in Florida, Louisiana and Texas. But having Ae. albopictus as a second important vector raises the specter of local mosquitoes spreading Zika in chillier places such as Canada.
Although Ae. albopictus is a competent vector in lab tests, the real world has so many more variables that actual outcomes are difficult to predict, Reiskind says. ?Could albopictus spread Zika? Absolutely,? he says. ?Will it?? That?s the question.
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/scientists-wrestle-possibility-second-zika-spreading-mosquito
...
BY SUSAN MILIUS 4:30PM, MAY 16, 2016
...
Figuring out the role of Ae. albopictus in the current sweep of Zika through the Americas is ?critically important,? says Lauren Gardner of the University of New South Wales in Sydney. Gardner specializes in analyzing how widespread human systems, such as transportation, affect the spread of disease. In the May issue of Lancet Infectious Diseases, she and colleagues argue that adding Ae. albopictus as a second spreader of Zika virus makes a big difference in how the epidemic might play out worldwide. In North America for instance, with just Ae. aegypti as the major vector, the researchers predict a high risk of Zika virus spreading mostly in Florida, Louisiana and Texas. But having Ae. albopictus as a second important vector raises the specter of local mosquitoes spreading Zika in chillier places such as Canada.
Although Ae. albopictus is a competent vector in lab tests, the real world has so many more variables that actual outcomes are difficult to predict, Reiskind says. ?Could albopictus spread Zika? Absolutely,? he says. ?Will it?? That?s the question.
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/scientists-wrestle-possibility-second-zika-spreading-mosquito