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 They warned, however, that further tests are needed to determine
whether the species, known as Culex quinquefasciatus, is in fact
responsible for transmitting the virus to humans and, if so, to what
extent.
The scientists, from a leading Brazilian research institute known as
the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, discovered the Zika traces in Culex
mosquitoes captured in and around the northeastern Brazilian city of
Recife, capital of the state that was hit hardest by the Zika
outbreak since last year.
In March, the same researchers said they had successfully
transmitted the Zika virus to Culex mosquitoes in the lab, but were
not yet sure at the time whether the species could carry the virus
naturally.
The Zika traces, the scientists said in a statement, were found
using methods that identify ribonucleic acid from the virus. The
findings, they said, "confirm the species as a potential vector of
the virus."
Still, many questions remain to determine whether Culex, even if
capable of carrying Zika, would be a significant source of infection
in humans.
Culex mosquitoes are more common than Aedes aegypti, the species
primarily responsible for transmitting the Zika virus, and are able
to withstand more temperate climates. They are common across the
Americas and in tropical and subtropical climates elsewhere.
Aedes aegypti has different breeding, feeding and overall habits
that scientists say make it an efficient vector for the disease in
humans.
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Compared with that mosquito, which is fond of urban and household
environments and likes to feed on humans, Culex likes to live around
trees and other high areas and is as likely to feed on birds and
other animals as it is on humans.
"Just finding the virus in another species doesn't mean that it can
efficiently transmit it," says Jerome Goddard, an entomologist and
specialist in mosquito-borne illnesses at Mississippi State
University.
Because mosquitoes of various species are capable of carrying any
number of infections or parasites, scientists say that eradication
efforts for any illness must concentrate on the insects known to
best transmit each particular disease.
(Reporting by Paulo Prada; Editing by Bernard Orr)
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