Researchers Find Evidence Zika Carried By More Common Culex Mosquitoes

Reuters: Brazil scientists find Zika traces in Culex mosquitoes in wild
“Brazilian researchers on Thursday said they found signs of the Zika virus in a common mosquito that is a separate species from the insect known to be the primary means of transmission…” (Prada, 7/21).

Washington Post: Zika is found in common Culex mosquitoes, signaling a potentially larger risk
“…Until now, Zika was believed to be carried mainly by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is much less numerous, lives in clean water, and is more likely to bite during the day. … The virus is also carried by the Aedes albopictus mosquito, which lives in more rural environments. Culex mosquitoes are much more widespread. They breed in dirty water and bite at night. Public health officials have feared that Culex mosquitoes could be involved in Zika transmission, something that would necessitate new strategies to combat the disease…” (Phillips, 7/21).

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