Vector competence of Aedes aegypti, Culex tarsalis, and Culex quinquefasciatus from California for Zika virus

Assessing the ability of common mosquito species to transmit Zika virus (ZIKV) and characterizing variations in how mosquitoes transmit different ZIKV strains is important for estimating regional outbreak potential and for prioritizing local mosquito control strategies. The authors investigates whether there was variation in the rates that mosquito types were infected with Zika and whether, once infected, their transmission rates differ. The resulting data will be valuable to decision making around vector control and potentially other mosquito-borne infectious diseases. The article supports research indicating that the Aedes aegypti is the vector driving Zika transmission.