What Mosquitoes Carry Yellow Fever?
WouterUntil recently, what mosquitoes carry yellow fever was a mystery. After years of research, scientists found out that it was the Aedes aegypti mosquito that carried the disease.
Aedes aegypti is a species of mosquito that is endemic in tropical regions of Africa, Central America, and South America. However, it can also be found in parts of the United States. It is the only vector for the transmission of the virus.
The adult female yellow fever mosquito is about four to seven millimeters long, with a white “lyre” shape on the dorsal side of its thorax. It is active around the clock, primarily feeding on blood meals. It can be distinguished from other mosquitoes by its legs and mouth parts.
When an Aedes aegypti bites you, it causes an itchy bump on the skin. The mosquitoes are capable of transmitting dengue fever, Zika, and chikungunya. Aedes aegypti can also be a vector for many other diseases.
The Aedes aegypti was first identified as a vector for the transmission of yellow fever in 1886. It was discovered by Cuban physician Carlos Finlay. He believed that the mosquito passed through a filter made of bacteria to pass the virus from one animal to another. This theory was ridiculed, but was eventually confirmed by U.S. Army scientists working with Dr. Walter Reed.
After the discovery of the Aedes aegypti, there was a long process of testing different theories about how the virus was transmitted. Several researchers used data from these studies to build models. These studies led to the development of vaccines.
