Zika Virus News Update: Asian Tiger Mosquito May Carry Virus Further In the US

Recently, Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) have discovered a new mosquito species also responsible for carrying the dreaded Zika virus that has affected many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Zika virus has been detected in Aedes albopictus, also known as 'Asian Tiger', which could potentially raise the number of people affected by the virus.

Mosquito populations in the US tend to peak during the hot summer months. At this time of the year, the Asian Tiger species tend to be more ubiquitous than their Aedes aegypti cousin- Zika's primary carrier elsewhere around the world.

While the aegypti species tends to thrive in the southern part of the US especially along the Gulf Coast, albopictus, on the other hand, could go cover as far as New England and even the lower Great Lakes area.

"This is the first evidence of the presence of Zika virus in Aedes albopictus captured in the environment in Mexico and in the Americas," Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) reported as mentioned in their Epidemiological Update on Zika virus.

Although notable, the report is hardly surprising as the said species has been under the scientists' suspicion radar. The said mosquito also carries dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever.

As per The Atlantic, the Asian Tiger mosquito was successfully injected with Zika virus in a Singaporean laboratory. Also, researchers also detected Zika-infected Aedes albopictus in samples collected in the wild areas of Gabon between 2007 and 2010.

The latest discovery by experts is now largely considered as a wake-up call by health authorities in the US to state and local governments who have become too complacent with the risks posed by a potential Zika outbreak.

"There are officials who have been saying we don't have Aedes aegypti, so we don't need to be worried or have a plan," said Janet McAllister, an entomologist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Washington Post reported.

"What CDC is saying is: You need a plan in place because albopictus could transmit Zika in your area, and you need to take it seriously."