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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
08:02
Experimental Viral Infection in Adult Mosquitoes by Oral Feeding and Microinjection
Published on: July 28, 2022
TRANSMISSION OF FOWL-POX BY MOSQUITOES
I J Kligler1, R S Muckenfuss, T M Rivers
1Hospital of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Culex and Aëdes mosquitoes can spread fowl-pox disease between chickens. Infected mosquitoes remain a transmission risk for at least two weeks after feeding on sick birds.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Medical Entomology
Background:
- Fowl-pox is a viral disease affecting poultry.
- Mosquitoes are known vectors for various pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Culex and Aëdes mosquitoes in transmitting fowl-pox virus.
- To determine the duration of infectiousness in mosquitoes after feeding on infected chickens.
Main Methods:
- Experimental infection of chickens with fowl-pox virus.
- Feeding of Culex and Aëdes mosquitoes on infected chickens.
- Testing mosquito infectivity over time.
Main Results:
- Culex and Aëdes mosquitoes successfully transmitted fowl-pox between chickens.
- Mosquitoes remained capable of transmitting the virus for at least 14 days post-infection.
Conclusions:
- Culex and Aëdes mosquitoes serve as mechanical vectors for fowl-pox virus.
- Mosquitoes pose a significant disease transmission risk in poultry farms for an extended period.
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