Vector competence of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus for Murray Valley encephalitis, Kunjin, and Ross River viruses from Australia

Abstract

Australian populations of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus Say from Brisbane, Charleville, Cairns, Kowanyama (Queensland), Darwin (Northern Territory), Mildura (Victoria), and Port Hedland (Western Australia) proved to be either poorly susceptible or refractory to oral infection with low passage level Murray Valley encephalitis, Kunjin, and Ross River viruses. With respect to past or future epidemics of Murray Valley encephalitis or Kunjin (both known to cause clinical encephalitis in man), and of epidemic polyarthritis, this mosquito is viewed as an unlikely vector.