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Updated: Mar 15, 2026
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Vector Competence Analyses on Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes using Zika Virus
Published on: May 31, 2020
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Culex mosquitoes are experimentally unable to transmit Zika virus
Fadila Amraoui1, Célestine Atyame-Nten, Anubis Vega-Rúa
1Institut Pasteur, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, Department of Virology, Paris, France.
Abstract:
We report that two laboratory colonies of Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex pipiens mosquitoes were experimentally unable to transmit ZIKV either up to 21 days post an infectious blood meal or up to 14 days post intrathoracic inoculation. Infectious viral particles were detected in bodies, heads or saliva by a plaque forming unit assay on Vero cells. We therefore consider it unlikely that Culex mosquitoes are involved in the rapid spread of ZIKV.
