Vector competence of Anopheles stephensi for O'nyong-nyong virus: a risk for global virus spread.

ABSTRACT:

Background

O'nyong-nyong virus (ONNV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus causing sporadic outbreaks of febrile illness with rash and polyarthralgia. Up to now, ONNV has been restricted to Africa and only two competent vectors have been found, Anopheles gambiae and An. funestus, which are also known malaria vectors. With globalization and invasive mosquito species migrating to ONNV endemic areas, there is a possible risk of introduction of the virus to other countries and continents. Anopheles stephensi, is closely related to An. gambiae and one of the invasive mosquito species of Asian origin that is now present in the Horn of Africa and spreading further east. We hypothesize that An. stephensi, a known primary urban malaria vector, may also serve as a new possible vector for ONNV.

SUBMITTER: Mutsaers M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10111657 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature