Abstract
The invasive mosquito species Aedes japonicus japonicus (Ae. japonicus) is widely distributed in Central Europe and is a known vector of various arboviruses in the laboratory, including flaviviruses such as Japanese Encephalitis virus or West Nile virus. However, the vector competence of Ae. japonicus for the recently emerging Zika virus (ZIKV) has not been determined. Therefore, field-caught Ae. japonicus from Germany were orally infected with ZIKV and incubated at 21, 24, or 27 °C to evaluate the vector competence under climate conditions representative of the temperate regions (21 °C) in the species’ main distribution area in Europe and of Mediterranean regions (27 °C). Aedes japonicus was susceptible to ZIKV at all temperatures, showing infection rates between 10.0% (21 °C) and 66.7% (27 °C). However, virus transmission was detected exclusively at 27 °C with a transmission rate of 14.3% and a transmission efficiency of 9.5%. Taking into account the present distribution of Ae. japonicus in the temperate regions of Central Europe, the risk of ZIKV transmission by the studied Ae. japonicus population in Central Europe has to be considered as low. Nevertheless, due to the species’ vector competence for ZIKV and other mosquito-borne viruses, in combination with the possibility of further spread to Mediterranean regions, Ae. japonicus must be kept in mind as a potential vector of pathogens inside and outside of Europe.
Highlights
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne virus within the family Flaviviridae that was first isolated from sentinel rhesus macaques in Uganda in 19471
After decades of silent circulation, unprecedented ZIKV epidemics occurred in Micronesia, Polynesia, and, in the Americas in 2015; the hundreds of thousands of human cases resulted in the announcement of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern through the World Health Organization[2]
Recent experimental studies suggested that only Ae. albopictus might play a role in ZIKV transmission in Central Europe, while common members of the genus Culex are probably not important[5,6]
Summary
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne virus within the family Flaviviridae that was first isolated from sentinel rhesus macaques in Uganda in 19471. After decades of silent circulation, unprecedented ZIKV epidemics occurred in Micronesia, Polynesia, and, in the Americas in 2015; the hundreds of thousands of human cases resulted in the announcement of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern through the World Health Organization[2]. Clinical courses associated with ZIKV infections can range from mild. Aedes albopictus are considered the primary and secondary vectors of ZIKV; a wide variety of other Aedes species have been identified as potentially susceptible to ZIKV infection[4]. Recent experimental studies suggested that only Ae. albopictus might play a role in ZIKV transmission in Central Europe, while common members of the genus Culex are probably not important[5,6].
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