Overview
- Researchers trapped 1,714 mosquitoes in two protected reserves in Rio de Janeiro and analyzed recently fed females using DNA sequencing of blood meals.
- Of 145 engorged mosquitoes, blood sources were identified in 24 samples, including 18 humans, six birds, one amphibian, one dog, and one mouse, with some mixed meals.
- The authors report that a strong human-feeding pattern in a biodiverse region could elevate transmission of viruses such as yellow fever, dengue, Zika, chikungunya, Mayaro, and Sabiá.
- Evidence is preliminary given that under 7% of captures were engorged and only about 38% of those yielded identifiable hosts, with mixed meals proving difficult to resolve.
- The study, published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, urges targeted vector surveillance, ecosystem restoration, and larger, more detailed studies to confirm and assess the trend.