Progress in research on mosquito-borne viruses: Understanding infection, transmission, and control

Source: PubMed Central Open Access, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine

Abstract Mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs) are a group of arboviruses belonging to diverse families and genera. Transmitted through mosquito bites, MBVs are a significant public health concern. These pathogens can cause a spectrum of mosquito-borne viral diseases (MBVDs) ranging from rashes, mild fever, and arthralgia to severe conditions, such as shock, encephalitis, microcephaly, hemorrhagic fever and even death. MBVDs are primarily endemic in tropical and subtropical regions, putting half of the global population at risk. Evolutionarily, these viruses are highly adapted to both mosquito and mammalian hosts, efficiently exploiting multiple characteristics of both hosts to facilitate the infection and transmission cycle. In this study, we review the current knowledge of the infection and transmission of major pathogenic MBVs, the underlying mechanisms thereof, and recent advances in preventing and controlling these viruses. We also highlight key challenges in MBV control, infection, and transmission while discussing prospective directions for future research.