The Ecology of Mosquito Borne Viruses

Vertebrate Reservoirs of Arboviruses: Myth, Synonym of Amplifier, or Reality?

“…Because of the unique mode of transmission, definitive confirmation of an arbovirus’ vertebrate reservoir requires satisfying the following empirically-learned conditions between vectors and vertebrates [ 10 , 14 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ] in a given location. These include: (i) either continual or intermittent isolation of an arbovirus in question from the suspected vertebrates during the period of complete cessation of vector’s feeding activity (a minimum of 2 but preferably ≥3 months) (hereafter called the “interrupted period”), such as during the dry season in the tropics or the cold season in temperate regions; (ii) the total absence of the introduction of infected vertebrates and/or vectors during the interrupted period; and (iii) the detection of the infectious virus from blood after the interrupted period.…”

“…Richard M. Taylor concluded that mosquitoes qualify better as reservoirs than do vertebrates [ 14 ]. Critics either flatly rejected the notion because of the assumptions used or held serious reservations, recognizing deficiencies in the notion, demanding proof, or advocating alternative approaches [ 32 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 ]. It is important to note that when the zoonosis concept of the Joint Committee of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations [ 68 ] and the arbovirus definition of the WHO [ 7 ] were simultaneously published in 1967, the FAO report was severely criticized for lack of ecological data and ambiguity about reservoirs for many pathogens considered zoonotic agents [ 69 ].…”