Pathogens Spread by High-Altitude Windborne Mosquitoes
Author Information
Author(s): Bamou R, Dao A, Yaro AS, Kouam C, Ergunay K, Bourke BP, Diallo M, Sanogo ZL, Samake D, Afrane YA, Mohammed AR, Owusu-Asenso CM, Akosah-Brempong G, Pambit-Zong CM, Krajacich BJ, Faiman R, Pacheco MA, Escalante AA, Weaver SC, Nartey R, Chapman JW, Reynolds DR, Linton Y-M, Lehmann T
Primary Institution: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Hypothesis
High-altitude mosquitoes spread pathogens over large distances.
Conclusion
High-altitude windborne mosquitoes are commonly infected with various pathogens, indicating they can spread diseases over long distances.
Supporting Evidence
- High-altitude mosquitoes were found to be infected with multiple pathogens.
- Infection rates for plasmodia were 7.2%, and for flaviviruses, it was 3.5%.
- Nineteen mosquito-borne pathogens were identified in the study.
Takeaway
Some mosquitoes fly high in the sky and can carry germs that make people and animals sick, even from far away.
Methodology
Female mosquitoes were intercepted on nets from helium balloons at altitudes of 120-290 m and screened for infections using qPCR.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website