The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit says two mosquitoes known to transmit the Zika virus have been found in a trap in the area.
Two adult Aedes albopictus mosquitoes were discovered in a single enhanced mosquito trap, a BG Sentinel 2 trap.
After last year’s discovery of the Aedes species in the area, the health unit worked closely with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Public Health Ontario, and the Public Health Agency of Canada to enhance this year’s local mosquito surveillance program to monitor for the presence of the Aedes species.
Aedes albopictus has been identified across the United States, including Vermont, New York, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Although this species of mosquito, also known as the Asian tiger mosquito, is capable of transmitting viruses including Zika, it is not the species that is responsible for the majority of human cases of Zika virus infection in the Caribbean, South America and Florida.
When analyzed in the laboratory, the two Aedes albopictus mosquitoes found both tested negative for Zika virus and West Nile virus.
Last year, all 17 trapped Aedes albopictus mosquitoes also tested negative for Zika virus and West Nile virus.
Although it is unknown exactly how the mosquito arrived in Ontario, health unit officials suspect that the mosquitoes were transported from the U.S. in shipping containers or other cross-border vehicle traffic.
This year’s discovery may be a new Aedes albopictus mosquito colony or it may be last year’s colony that has been able to survive in Windsor because of the mild winter and the current hot temperatures.
“Keeping our community informed about infectious diseases and the local mosquito surveillance programs is a key role of public health,” says Dr. Ahmed, Acting Medical Officer of Health.
“The discovery of the Asian tiger mosquitoes again this year is an important reminder to everyone that we should continue to protect ourselves and our families from mosquito bites.”
Aedes albopictus feed on humans but they also feed on a variety of animals, which makes it less likely for them to be the primary mosquito for spreading the Zika virus.
For Zika virus transmission to occur, the Aedes albopictus mosquito would need to feed on an infected person then feed upon another susceptible person. The greatest risk to contracting Zika virus continues to be centred on those who have travelled to Zika-risk areas.
While there is no change in risk for Zika virus in our community, the health unit says is still important to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.
