Canada - Mosquito Surveillance Reveals the Aedes aegypti Species in Southern Ontario.

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Canada - Mosquito Surveillance Reveals the Aedes aegypti Species in Southern Ontario. (Wechu). HT: Crof.

In the United States, the Aedes aegypti mosquito primarily exists in the southern states and along the eastern seaboard, where temperatures are more favourable for its survival. There are records of this mosquito being found in some northern states, including Michigan and New Hampshire; however, these were only temporary summer incursions, as the relatively cold winters prevented establishment. To our knowledge, this is the first time Aedes aegypti has been collected in Canada.  

Although it is unknown exactly how the larvae arrived in Ontario, one possibility is that the eggs were transported from the U.S. in shipping containers or other cross-border vehicle traffic. Aedes aegypti eggs could also have been imported in recycled products, such as tires or other containers. Given that this is a tropical mosquito, the extremely hot temperatures this past summer allowed for the species to exist in Windsor. 

“We will continue to ensure that our community stays informed about infectious diseases and the local mosquito surveillance program. It is a key public health service that we provide to Windsor-Essex County residents. The discovery of the yellow fever mosquito larvae through enhanced surveillance of the Aedes albopictus mosquito is an important reminder that we should continue to protect ourselves and our families from mosquito bites,” said Dr. Kirk.   

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is even less cold tolerant than the Aedes albopictus and will not survive the cold winter temperatures. For Zika virus transmission to occur, the Aedes aegypti mosquito would need to feed on an infected person, within the first several days of infection, and then feed upon another susceptible person. 

The greatest risk to contracting Zika virus continues to be centered on those who have travelled to Zika-risk areas (such as South America, the Caribbean and Florida) or who are or have been in sexual contact with these travelers. Read the full story here. More on this story here.

Medical research charity warns: "Expect ZIKA to spread to India and Africa".

Global map of the predicted distribution of Aedes albopictus, another mosquito of the Aedes family that researchers believe transmits the Zika virus. (1 = Full presence of Aedes mosquito, 0= No presence of Aedes mosquito) Source

Medical research charity warns:  "Expect ZIKA to spread to India and Africa". (Guardian).

The Zika virus, which causes brain damage in babies, is likely to spread to India and the continent of Africa, according to the director of the Wellcome Trust, a medical charity deeply involved in research to try to limit the damage.  

“I think we can anticipate global spread,” said Jeremy Farrar, speaking to the Guardian alongside Sue Desmond-Hellmann, the chief executive officer of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. “Given the [Aedes aegypti] mosquito’s availability across the world, I think the spread will next be across Asia and I think we really have to be prepared for it spreading in Africa. I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t.” 

Last month, 16 pregnant women in Singapore were confirmed to have zika virus. “You can anticipate reports from Vietnam, from Indonesia, from India. I don’t think we’re even at the start of the Zika knowledge base yet,” said Farrar.

The two philanthropic organisations, together with the Brazilian, US and UK governments, have announced $18m (£14.7m) funding for an ambitious project to release mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria in two urban areas of Brazil and Colombia. The bacteria renders the mosquitoes unable to transmit viruses. They breed with local mosquitoes, producing offspring with Wolbachia, a bacteria carried by 60% of insects that is harmless to humans. 

If it works, it will help limit not just Zika but also other flaviviruses, including dengue and yellow fever. Read the full story here.