First isolation of the Rift Valley fever virus from Culex poicilipes (Diptera: Culicidae) in nature

• Published in: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene Vol. 62; no. 6; pp. 702 - 704
• Main Authors: Diallo, M, Lochouarn, L, Ba, K, Sall, AA, Mondo, M, Girault, L, Mathiot, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lawrence, KS ASTMH 01.06.2000; Allen Press
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Culex - physiology; Culex - virology; Ecology; Freshwater; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Insect Vectors - physiology; Insect Vectors - virology; Medically important nuisances and vectors, pests of stored products and materials: population survey and control; Rift Valley Fever - transmission; Rift Valley fever virus - isolation & purification; Senegal; Tropical medicine; Vectors. Intermediate hosts; Senegal; Africa; Rift valley fever; Insecta; Sandfly fever group virus; Rift valley fever virus; Infection; Virus; Bunyaviridae; Arthropoda; Viral disease; Arbovirus disease; Culicidae; Isolation; Invertebrata; Vector; Diptera; Phlebovirus
• ISSN: 0002-9637; 1476-1645
• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2000.62.702

Following the reemergence of Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus in southeastern Mauritania in 1998, an entomological survey was undertaken in the boundary area in Senegal to assess the extent of the virus circulation. During this study, RVF virus (36 strains) was isolated for the first time from Culex poicilipes in nature. The possible role of Cx. poicilipes as an RVF vector is discussed regarding its biology and ecology.