Overwintering of mosquito-borne viruses
Danielová, V.
Medical Biology 53(5): 282-287
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0302-2137 PMID: 1603 Document Number: 91842
The various lines of approach that have been taken towards solving the problem of the method of overwintering of arboviruses, especially Tahyna virus, are discussed. The possibilities considered are overwintering in hibernating female mosquitoes, in other blood-sucking ectoparasites and in vertebrates, whether poikilothermic or heterothermic. While overwintering in hibernating females seems to offer a satisfactory explanation for viruses transmitted mainly by species of Culex, a different mechanism has to be sought for viruses such as Tahyna, circulating in temperate areas where the dominant vectors are species of Aedes. Transovarial transmission is the favoured theory, but the importance of an individual approach in investigation, taking into account the nature of the virus, the climate and ecological considerations, is stressed.