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Updated: May 29, 2026
Vector Competence Analyses on Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes using Zika Virus
Published on: May 31, 2020
Vector competence of Australian mosquitoes for yellow fever virus
Andrew F van den Hurk1, Kate McElroy, Alyssa T Pyke
1Public Health Virology, Communicable Diseases Unit, Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Health, Coopers Plains, Australia. andrew_hurk@health.qld.gov.au
Abstract:
The vector competence of Australian mosquitoes for yellow fever virus (YFV) was evaluated. Infection and transmission rates in Cairns and Townsville populations of Aedes aegypti and a Brisbane strain of Ae. notoscriptus were not significantly different from a well-characterized YFV-susceptible strain of Ae. aegypti. After exposure to 10⁷·² tissue culture infectious dose (TCID₅₀)/mL of an African strain of YFV, > 70% of Ae. aegypti and Ae. notoscriptus became infected, and > 50% transmitted the virus. When exposed to 10⁶·⁷) TCID₅₀/mL of a South American strain of YFV, the highest infection (64%) and transmission (56%) rates were observed in Ae. notoscriptus. The infection and transmission rates in the Cairns Ae. aegypti were both 24%, and they were 36% and 28%, respectively, for the Townsville population. Because competent vectors are present, the limited number of travelers from endemic areas and strict vaccination requirements will influence whether YFV transmission occurs in Australia.
