(Proyecto) Zika virus: factors influencing vector competence in Dominican Republic.
(Proyecto) Zika virus: factors influencing vector competence in Dominican Republic.
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Date
2026
Authors
Modesto Cruz
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Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is a vector-borne disease belonging to the genus Flavivirus with recent emergence and spread around the world. It was determined to be a "Public Health Emergency of International Interest" because to the potential association between infection and neurological disorders such as Guillain-Barre syndrome. Nowadays it is still a global threat spreading across 31 countries in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. In Dominican Republic autochthonous transmission of Zika virus has been confirmed in 31 of the 32 provinces, with reports of high transmission rate. However, little information is available about the molecular epidemiology and vector competences of ZIKV in Dominican Republic. Our research team with members from Dominican Republic and Canada plan to test a variety of wild-caught mosquitoes for ZIKV and to conduct vector competence studies on those species that test positive for the virus and we will implement a coordinated mosquito surveillance and arbovirus testing programme study. This approach is necessary since some researchers have suggested that not only Aedes aegypti, and Ae. albopictus but also Culex quinquefasciatus might be an important vector related to ZIKV transmission. There is very little published information on vector competence studies for ZIKV and the data that are publically available are not convincing that Ae. aegypti is a good vector. In order to reinforce and explain the different theories already mentioned, we consider the proposition of this study.
Description
Objetivo General:
To establish and characterize the vector competence of mosquitoes for Zika virus in the Dominican Republic
Objetivos especÃficos:
1. To determine which mosquito species are infected with Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Dominican Republic?
2. To determine which mosquito species are competent vectors of ZIKV?
3. To identify which factors affect a mosquito’s ability to be a competent vector?