Researchers find Zika RNA in Brazilian A. albopictus mosquitoes.

Researchers find Zika RNA in Brazilian A. albopictus mosquitoes.Researchers detected fragments of Zika virus RNA — but not live virus — in Aedes albopictus mosquitoes collected in a Brazilian state hit hard by the recent Zika outbreak. A different mosquito, A. aegypti, has been the primary vector for Zika and the main driver of the recent outbreak in the Americas. In the United States, the range of A. albopictus is far greater than that of A. aegypti. This results mean that Aedes albopictus may have a role in Zika virus transmission and should be of concern to public health, this mosquito is found worldwide with a wide range of hosts and has adapted to colder climates. The role of this mosquito in Zika virus transmission needs to be assessed. more