Second mosquito species discovered to carry Zika; Two more Caribbean countries confirm Zika cases – But still no known cases of the virus in Montserrat
Aedes albopictus is known as the Asian tiger mosquito
BRADES – On the heels of news that two Caribbean countries have each confirmed their first cases of the Zika Virus within a 48 hours period, it has been revealed that a second mosquito species—Aedes Albopictus, also known as the Asian tiger mosquito– has been discovered to carry the Zika virus.
Grenada and Antigua recorded their first cases of the mosquito-borne Zike virus, which causes crippling birth defects, and was known to be carried by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Meanwhile, news out of Connecticut, USA, says “about two weeks ago, for the first time during the current outbreak, the virus was found in albopictus mosquitoes in Mexico. Officials say that in the last five years, the numbers of Aedes albopictus has increased substantially,” commenting that that the species is very common in Connecticut.
A number of Caribbean countries have reported cases of the virus in recent months.
Dorothy Hazel of the Montserrat Environmental Health department told TMR in an invited comment on the recent discovery of the second mosquito species now known to carry the Zika virus, that she was not surprised at the announcement as she always thought it possible that other mosquitoes of the species may carry the virus.
There have been to date no known cases of the virus in Montserrat and Hazel explained that the vector control department, with which her department liaises closely, continues to take steps to control the mosquito population . She said the health department continues its efforts at encouraging the public to be conscious of keeping their surroundings clean and to avoid actions that would encourage mosquito breeding.
In Grenada, Health Minister Nicolas Steele said confirmation of that islands first case came from the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CAPHA) and it is not believed that transmission was done while overseas. “Based on the number of days the person has returned it’s the view of the health officials that the transmission did not happen outside but on island,” he said, advising that the unidentified woman was from the St Andrews area.
The Zika virus is spread primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito and the most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). However, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.
Health officials around the Caribbean and other affected and at risk areas want to identify any mosquitoes carrying Zika as soon as possible, and hit them with full-scale eradication efforts.
In the meantime also, health officials in the US want to identify any mosquitoes carrying Zika as soon as possible, and hit them with full-scale eradication efforts.
Phil Armstrong in Connecticut plans to test more than 50 species of mosquitoes for Zika which is said underscores the uncertainty surrounding the current outbreak.
But with more than 50 species of mosquitoes in Connecticut, Armstrong won’t be taking any chances.
“We’ll be testing all the mosquitoes that we collect all the different species, all fifty of them, we’ll be testing them for Zika virus,” Armstrong said.
CONNECTICUT — Zika virus may spread farther in the U.S. than first thought. The virus, which causes crippling birth defects, was known to be carried by a mosquito that is mostly limited to the South.
Authorities brace for Zika virus in U.S.
Now, Zika has been discovered in a second species that ranges as far north as Maine and Minnesota.
There have been no cases of mosquito borne Zika in the U.S., but health officials believe the time is coming.
It was cloudy and cool in Connecticut on Monday, but Phil Armstrong was thinking about warm weather and mosquitoes.
He heads up mosquito surveillance for the state of Connecticut.
The CDC says the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the main species that carries Zika, could extend into Connecticut this summer.
But Armstrong is more concerned about another species: Aedes albopictus, also known as the Asian tiger mosquito. About two weeks ago, for the first time during the current outbreak, the virus was found in albopictus mosquitoes in Mexico. That species is very common in Connecticut.
