Posted 20 May 2007 @ 07:15
JAKARTA, 20 May 2007 - Researchers at the Indonesian Mosquito Control Association have discovered that 30 percent of male Aedes aegypti mosquito's have also become a vector for the dengue virus. This finding has changed the long-standing perception that only female Aedes aegypti mosquito's carried the virus. This finding also signals that the disease is becoming endemic in Indonesia, according to Dr. Tri Baskoro, secretary general of the association.
"It is believed the male mosquitoes were infected through vertical transmission of the virus: the mother mosquitoes infecting their eggs," he said. Current knowledge assumed that only female mosquito's transferred the virus from person to person by bringing infected blood. They need human blood to form their eggs, while male mosquito's obviously don't have this need. "This discovery will be studied further to establish the pattern of the dengue virus` spread in the long term so that the right anticipatory steps can be taken."
The study is organized by the Indonesian Mosquito Control Association and was performed with male mosquito's caught in a number of regions in the country. The insects were tested for the virus. "The implication of this discovery is that the risk of dengue becoming endemic in this country has become greater," said Baskoro.
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