Speaker
Description
Oropouche virus (OROV) has emerged as a significant health threat in Central and South America in 2024. Belonging to the genus Orthobunyavirus (family Peribunyaviridae), it is primarily transmitted by Culicoides midges; however, the role of mosquitoes in its transmission cycle has not been fully clarified. This study assesses the vector competence of five mosquito species (Culex torrentium, Cx. pipiens biotype pipiens, Aedes aegypti, Ae. japonicus, and Ae. albopictus) for OROV strain TR 9760 (isolated in 1955 from a febrile patient).
Performing infection via artificial bloodmeal and forced salivation assay under different temperature regimes and timepoints, no infection was detected in Ae. aegypti and Ae. japonicus, independent of timepoint or temperature regime tested. Interestingly, Cx. pipiens biotype pipiens and Cx. torrentium exhibited low-level susceptibility to OROV infection, but no virus was detected in their saliva, indicating they are unlikely to transmit OROV. In contrast, Ae. albopictus exhibited positive saliva, suggesting potential vector competence. Temperature-based risk analysis indicates that regions with established Ae. albopictus populations, may be at risk for OROV transmission.
These findings underscore the importance of virus surveillance and vector control in susceptible areas.
Keywords
Oropouche virus, mosquitoes, Aedes albopictus, transmission
| Registration ID | 66 |
|---|---|
| Professional Status of the Speaker | Senior Scientist |
| Junior Scientist Status | No, I am not a Junior Scientist. |
