US scientific research : SARS-CoV-2 cannot be transmitted by mosquitoes

Reporter : Liu Haiying

Publisher : Science & Technology Daily, via ScienceNet

Ref : http://news.sciencenet.cn/htmlnews/2020/7/442992.shtm

Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan

                                 / KUCINTA SETIA

 

A study by Kansas State University confirmed that SARS-CoV-2 (covi, in short) cannot be transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. The researchers published a paper in the "Science Report" magazine on 17 July 2020, stating that the new research provided conclusive experimental data for the first time, supporting the World Health Organization's (WHO) argument that mosquitoes cannot transmit covi.

Regarding the question of whether covi can be transmitted by mosquitoes, the WHO has made it clear that it cannot, saying that "there is no information or evidence that the new coronavirus can be transmitted by mosquitoes." This assertion is based on various observations of other coronavirus studies, and is not supported by conclusive experimental data.

In order to find relevant scientific evidence, the research team of the Institute of Biosafety of Kansas State University conducted targeted experimental research. They tested the ability of covi to infect and replicate in three common and widely distributed mosquitoes through intrapleural vaccination. These three mosquitoes are Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Culex pipiens pipiens. They represent the two most important arbovirus genera that infect humans. Researchers say that intrathoracic vaccination is the most extreme method of virus attack on mosquitoes. If the new coronavirus does not replicate in the mosquitoes after intrathoracic vaccination, then even if the mosquito sucks the blood of a patient containing the virus, the possibility of viral transmission can still be ruled out.

The researchers detected covi in samples collected within two hours of inoculation, confirming that the virus can be effectively transmitted to mosquitoes; but the virus was not detected in 277 samples collected at all time points 24 hours after inoculation . The researchers concluded that SARS-CoV-2 cannot replicate in mosquitoes, and mosquitoes will not become a vector of the virus.

The researchers pointed out that the new study used scientific data to answer the public’s questions about whether SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted by mosquitoes, indicating that even under extreme conditions, the virus cannot replicate in mosquitoes, and mosquitoes that consume virus-containing blood cannot spread covi to humans.