Stegomyia pia indeed has the potential to transmit serious viral diseases like dengue fever and chikungunya, which are rampant in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. The species is known for transmitting infections through their bite. As the inventory was mainly based on aquatic larvae stages outside of the epidemic period, the scientists were not able to capture Stegomyia pia carrying one of these viruses in order to demonstrate its vector capacity, but grave suspicions surround this new species.

Source: Dengue fever, chikungunya: A potential vector discovered in Mayotte


David Cottle

UBB Owner & Administrator