Parasite journal publishes an article relevant to prevention against chikungunya (2013-10-07)
IRD researchers and their partners from the Regional Agency for Health of the Indian Ocean have identified a new species of mosquito in Mayotte. It could be a vector of dengue and of chikungunya, up to now unknown. "Stegomyia pia", which is the name that has been given to it by the scientists, does indeed belong to the group of species that transmits these viruses. The famous "tiger mosquito" is also part of this group. The discovery of this new mosquito species from Mayotte, potentially a vector, allows a better understanding of the mosquitoes likely to be fought. It should help provide effective programs to prevent these diseases.