Which mosquito species are involved in circulating and amplifying West Nile Virus in birds?

Which mosquito species are involved in circulating and amplifying West Nile Virus in birds?

• A. Culex restuans and Culex pipiens
• B. Culex tarsalis and Aedes aegypti
• C. Anopheles gambiae and Culex pipiens
• D. Culex restuans and Aedes vexans

Answer: (A)

West Nile Virus is maintained in nature through an enzootic cycle where birds serve as the primary reservoir and amplify the virus. The mosquitoes that most effectively sustain this bird-to-bird transmission are Culex species that readily feed on birds. The combination of Culex restuans and Culex pipiens best fits this role, as both are common in areas with many birds and efficiently acquire the virus from infected birds and transmit it to other birds, keeping the cycle going. Other mosquitoes listed can transmit West Nile Virus in various contexts or contribute to spillover to humans, but they are not the primary enzootic bird-amplifying pair. Hence, this pair is the best fit for circulating and amplifying the virus in birds.

West Nile Virus is maintained in nature through an enzootic cycle where birds serve as the primary reservoir and amplify the virus. The mosquitoes that most effectively sustain this bird-to-bird transmission are Culex species that readily feed on birds. The combination of Culex restuans and Culex pipiens best fits this role, as both are common in areas with many birds and efficiently acquire the virus from infected birds and transmit it to other birds, keeping the cycle going. Other mosquitoes listed can transmit West Nile Virus in various contexts or contribute to spillover to humans, but they are not the primary enzootic bird-amplifying pair. Hence, this pair is the best fit for circulating and amplifying the virus in birds.