Zika virus is spread by which of the following mosquito?

AIIMS CRE SNO - 2023

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS CRE SNO - 2023

Explanation

Zika virus is primarily transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito, most notably Aedes aegypti.
This mosquito is known for its daytime biting habits and typically breeds in or near human dwellings in containers holding clean water.
Aedes aegypti is also the principal vector for other significant arboviral diseases, including dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever.

Option B: Culex mosquitoes are vectors for diseases like West Nile virus and Japanese encephalitis, not Zika virus.
Option C: Anopheles mosquitoes are the primary vectors for malaria.
Option D: Sand flies are insects that transmit diseases like leishmaniasis and sandfly fever; they are not mosquitoes and do not transmit Zika.

Visual 1: Infographic - A visual comparison of Aedes, Culex, and Anopheles mosquitoes, highlighting their distinct physical features and resting postures. For example, Aedes has black and white stripes, while Anopheles rests at an angle to the surface.
Visual 2: Diagram - The transmission cycle of the Zika virus, showing the mosquito vector (Aedes aegypti), human hosts, and other modes of transmission like maternal-fetal and sexual transmission.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Vector of Zika virus transmission as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must educate patients, especially pregnant women or those planning pregnancy, about the risks of Zika and preventive measures when traveling to endemic areas. This includes using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and eliminating mosquito breeding sites.
Identifying the correct vector is fundamental for public health initiatives. Control measures for Aedes aegypti (e.g., cleaning water containers) differ from those for Anopheles (e.g., bed nets for nighttime biters).
What if? If a patient presented with similar symptoms (fever, rash, joint pain) but had been bitten by a mosquito at night in a rural, swampy area known for filariasis, the nurse might consider a different vector, like Mansonia or Culex, and a different diagnosis.

How to Approach the Question

Step 1: Identify the key terms in the question: 'Zika virus' and 'mosquito'.
Step 2: This is a direct recall question from community health nursing/microbiology, requiring knowledge of vector-borne diseases.
Step 3: Mentally review the major mosquito genera and the primary diseases they transmit.
Step 4: Associate Anopheles with malaria. Associate Culex with encephalitis and filariasis. Associate Aedes with a group of viral diseases including dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika.
Step 5: Recognize that 'Sand fly' is a distractor as it's not a mosquito and transmits different diseases (leishmaniasis).
Step 6: Conclude that Aedes aegypti is the correct vector for the Zika virus.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q6BkF5zeJkWCxSmRBRfgbz