Modelling mosquito-borne and sexual transmission of Zika virus in Australia: Risks to blood transfusion safety

Background: Since 2015, Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreaks have occurred in the Americas and the Pacific involving mosquito-borne and sexual transmission. ZIKV has also emerged as a risk to global blood transfusion safety. Aedes aegypti, a mosquito well established in north and some parts of central and southern Queensland, Australia, transmits ZIKV. Aedes albopictus, another potential ZIKV vector, is a threat to mainland Australia. Australia has not yet reported local transmission of ZIKV. However, due to the close proximity to, and frequent air traffic with many neighboring countries endemic for ZIKV, a history of imported cases acquired overseas, the current favourable conditions for local transmission and, a potential high rate of asymptomatic infection, transmission is plausible, and could pose a risk to public health.
Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Tags: 0582 Source Type: research