Mosquito-Borne Viral Pathogens Detected in Zambia: A Systematic Review

doi:10.3390/pathogens10081007

Review

. 2021 Aug 10;10(8):1007.

doi: 10.3390/pathogens10081007.

Mosquito-Borne Viral Pathogens Detected in Zambia: A Systematic Review

Rachel Milomba Velu^{1

2}, Geoffrey Kwenda^{3

4}, Liyali Libonda⁵, Caroline Cleopatra Chisenga¹, Bumbangi Nsoni Flavien⁵, Obvious Nchimunya Chilyabanyama¹, Michelo Simunyandi¹, Samuel Bosomprah^{1

6}, Nicholus Chintu Sande², Katendi Changula⁷, Walter Muleya⁸, Monicah Mirai Mburu⁹, Benjamin Mubemba¹⁰, Simbarashe Chitanga^{3

11

12}, John Tembo¹³, Matthew Bates^{13

14}, Nathan Kapata¹⁵, Yasuko Orba¹⁶, Masahiro Kajihara¹⁷, Ayato Takada^{2

4

17}, Hirofumi Sawa^{2

4

16

18}, Roma Chilengi¹, Edgar Simulundu^{2

9}

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 34681, Zambia.
² Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia.
³ Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 50110, Zambia.
⁴ Africa Center of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia.
⁵ Department of Disease Control and Prevention, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Eden University, Lusaka P.O. Box 37727, Zambia.
⁶ Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra P.O. Box LG13, Ghana.
⁷ Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia.
⁸ Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia.
⁹ Macha Research Trust, Choma P.O. Box 630166, Zambia.
¹⁰ Department of Zoology and Aquatic Sciences, School of Natural Resources, Copperbelt University, Kitwe P.O. Box 21692, Zambia.
¹¹ School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek Private Bag 13301, Namibia.
¹² School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa.
¹³ HerpeZ Infection Research and Training, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka Private Bag RW1X Ridgeway, Lusaka P.O. Box 10101, Zambia.
¹⁴ School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK.
¹⁵ Zambia National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Lusaka P.O. Box 30205, Zambia.
¹⁶ Division of Molecular Pathobiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N 20 W10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan.
¹⁷ Division of Global Epidemiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N 20 W10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan.
¹⁸ Global Virus Network, 725 W Lombard St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.

PMID: 34451471
PMCID: PMC8401848
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10081007

Review

Mosquito-Borne Viral Pathogens Detected in Zambia: A Systematic Review

Rachel Milomba Velu et al. Pathogens. 2021.

. 2021 Aug 10;10(8):1007.

doi: 10.3390/pathogens10081007.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 34681, Zambia.
² Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia.
³ Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 50110, Zambia.
⁴ Africa Center of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia.
⁵ Department of Disease Control and Prevention, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Eden University, Lusaka P.O. Box 37727, Zambia.
⁶ Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra P.O. Box LG13, Ghana.
⁷ Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia.
⁸ Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia.
⁹ Macha Research Trust, Choma P.O. Box 630166, Zambia.
¹⁰ Department of Zoology and Aquatic Sciences, School of Natural Resources, Copperbelt University, Kitwe P.O. Box 21692, Zambia.
¹¹ School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek Private Bag 13301, Namibia.
¹² School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa.
¹³ HerpeZ Infection Research and Training, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka Private Bag RW1X Ridgeway, Lusaka P.O. Box 10101, Zambia.
¹⁴ School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK.
¹⁵ Zambia National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Lusaka P.O. Box 30205, Zambia.
¹⁶ Division of Molecular Pathobiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N 20 W10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan.
¹⁷ Division of Global Epidemiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N 20 W10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan.
¹⁸ Global Virus Network, 725 W Lombard St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.

PMID: 34451471
PMCID: PMC8401848
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10081007

Abstract

Emerging and re-emerging mosquito-borne viral diseases are a threat to global health. This systematic review aimed to investigate the available evidence of mosquito-borne viral pathogens reported in Zambia. A search of literature was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar for articles published from 1 January 1930 to 30 June 2020 using a combination of keywords. Eight mosquito-borne viruses belonging to three families, Togaviridae, Flaviviridae and Phenuiviridae were reported. Three viruses (Chikungunya virus, Mayaro virus, Mwinilunga virus) were reported among the togaviruses whilst four (dengue virus, West Nile virus, yellow fever virus, Zika virus) were among the flavivirus and only one virus, Rift Valley fever virus, was reported in the Phenuiviridae family. The majority of these mosquito-borne viruses were reported in Western and North-Western provinces. Aedes and Culex species were the main mosquito-borne viral vectors reported. Farming, fishing, movement of people and rain patterns were among factors associated with mosquito-borne viral infection in Zambia. Better diagnostic methods, such as the use of molecular tools, to detect the viruses in potential vectors, humans, and animals, including the recognition of arboviral risk zones and how the viruses circulate, are important for improved surveillance and design of effective prevention and control measures.

Keywords: Flaviviridae; Phenuiviridae; Togaviridae; Zambia; arboviruses; mosquito-borne.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

**Figure 1**
Flow chart diagram describing the literature search process.

**Figure 2**
Provinces in Zambia where mosquito-borne pathogens have been reported: Flaviviruses (a–d).

**Figure 3**
Provinces in Zambia where alphaviruses (a,b) and Rift Valley fever virus (c) have been reported.

See this image and copyright information in PMC

Cited by

Expanding diversity of bunyaviruses identified in mosquitoes.
Orba Y, Abu YE, Chambaro HM, Lundu T, Muleya W, Eshita Y, Qiu Y, Harima H, Kajihara M, Mori-Kajihara A, Matsuno K, Sasaki M, Hall WW, Hang'ombe BM, Sawa H. Orba Y, et al. Sci Rep. 2023 Oct 24;13(1):18165. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-45443-2. Sci Rep. 2023. PMID: 37875565 Free PMC article.
A historical perspective on arboviruses of public health interest in Southern Africa.
Hungwe FTT, Laycock KM, Ntereke TD, Mabaka R, Paganotti GM. Hungwe FTT, et al. Pathog Glob Health. 2024 Mar;118(2):131-159. doi: 10.1080/20477724.2023.2290375. Epub 2023 Dec 11. Pathog Glob Health. 2024. PMID: 38082563 Free PMC article. Review.
Ecological Niche Modeling of Aedes and Culex Mosquitoes: A Risk Map for Chikungunya and West Nile Viruses in Zambia.
Velu RM, Kwenda G, Bosomprah S, Chisola MN, Simunyandi M, Chisenga CC, Bumbangi FN, Sande NC, Simubali L, Mburu MM, Tembo J, Bates M, Simuunza MC, Chilengi R, Orba Y, Sawa H, Simulundu E. Velu RM, et al. Viruses. 2023 Sep 8;15(9):1900. doi: 10.3390/v15091900. Viruses. 2023. PMID: 37766306 Free PMC article.
Aedes albopictus is present in the lowlands of southern Zambia.
Matute DR, Cooper BS. Matute DR, et al. bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2023 Sep 29:2023.09.29.560125. doi: 10.1101/2023.09.29.560125. bioRxiv. 2023. Update in: Acta Trop. 2024 Mar;251:107115. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107115. PMID: 37808696 Free PMC article. Updated. Preprint.
Mosquito-borne alphaviruses in Zambia: Isolation and characterization of Eilat and Sindbis viruses.
De'Sean Mears C, Tabata K, Ariizumi T, Hang'ombe BM, Qiu Y, Harima H, Kajihara M, Hall WW, Sasaki M, Sawa H, Orba Y. De'Sean Mears C, et al. Virus Res. 2025 Aug;358:199604. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2025.199604. Epub 2025 Jul 7. Virus Res. 2025. PMID: 40633768 Free PMC article.

See all "Cited by" articles

References

1. Conway M.J., Colpitts T.M., Fikrig E. Role of the vector in arbovirus transmission. Ann. Rev. Virol. 2014;1:71–88. doi: 10.1146/annurev-virology-031413-085513. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
1. Chandler L.J. Arthropod-Borne Virus Information Exchange December 1997. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.gov); Atlanta, GA, USA: 1997.
1. Weaver S.C., Reisen W.K. Present and future arboviral threats. Antivir. Res. 2010;85:328–345. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2009.10.008. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
1. Marchi S., Trombetta C.M., Montomoli E. In: Emerging and Re-Emerging Arboviral Diseases as a Global Health Problem. Majumder M.A.A., editor. IntechOpen; London, UK: 2018. pp. 25–46. Public Health.
1. Heinrich N., Saathoff E., Weller N., Clowes P., Kroidl I., Ntinginya E., Machibya H., Maboko L., Löscher T., Dobler G. High seroprevalence of Rift Valley fever and evidence for endemic circulation in Mbeya region, Tanzania, in a cross-sectional study. PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis. 2012;6:e1557. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001557. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

Publication types

Actions

Grants and funding

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources

[1] Conway M.J., Colpitts T.M., Fikrig E. Role of the vector in arbovirus transmission. Ann. Rev. Virol. 2014;1:71–88. doi: 10.1146/annurev-virology-031413-085513. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[2] Conway M.J., Colpitts T.M., Fikrig E. Role of the vector in arbovirus transmission. Ann. Rev. Virol. 2014;1:71–88. doi: 10.1146/annurev-virology-031413-085513. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[3] Chandler L.J. Arthropod-Borne Virus Information Exchange December 1997. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.gov); Atlanta, GA, USA: 1997.

[4] Chandler L.J. Arthropod-Borne Virus Information Exchange December 1997. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.gov); Atlanta, GA, USA: 1997.

[5] Weaver S.C., Reisen W.K. Present and future arboviral threats. Antivir. Res. 2010;85:328–345. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2009.10.008. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[6] Weaver S.C., Reisen W.K. Present and future arboviral threats. Antivir. Res. 2010;85:328–345. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2009.10.008. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[7] Marchi S., Trombetta C.M., Montomoli E. In: Emerging and Re-Emerging Arboviral Diseases as a Global Health Problem. Majumder M.A.A., editor. IntechOpen; London, UK: 2018. pp. 25–46. Public Health.

[8] Marchi S., Trombetta C.M., Montomoli E. In: Emerging and Re-Emerging Arboviral Diseases as a Global Health Problem. Majumder M.A.A., editor. IntechOpen; London, UK: 2018. pp. 25–46. Public Health.

[9] Heinrich N., Saathoff E., Weller N., Clowes P., Kroidl I., Ntinginya E., Machibya H., Maboko L., Löscher T., Dobler G. High seroprevalence of Rift Valley fever and evidence for endemic circulation in Mbeya region, Tanzania, in a cross-sectional study. PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis. 2012;6:e1557. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001557. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[10] Heinrich N., Saathoff E., Weller N., Clowes P., Kroidl I., Ntinginya E., Machibya H., Maboko L., Löscher T., Dobler G. High seroprevalence of Rift Valley fever and evidence for endemic circulation in Mbeya region, Tanzania, in a cross-sectional study. PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis. 2012;6:e1557. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001557. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

Save citation to file

Email citation

Add to Collections

Add to My Bibliography

Your saved search

Create a file for external citation management software

Your RSS Feed

Mosquito-Borne Viral Pathogens Detected in Zambia: A Systematic Review

Affiliations

Mosquito-Borne Viral Pathogens Detected in Zambia: A Systematic Review

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

Figures

Similar articles

Cited by

References

Publication types

Grants and funding

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

Figures

Similar articles

Cited by

References

Publication types

Related information

Grants and funding

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources