Gasperi G., R. Bellini, A. R. Malacrida, A. Crisanti, M. Dottori, S. Aksoy
PLoS Negl Trop Dis 6(9): e1836. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0001836
The dramatic global expansion of this aggressive mosquito has increased public health concern due to its ability to transmit numerous arboviruses, including the most prevalent arboviral pathogens of humans: chikungunya and to a lesser extent dengue viruses. After the 2002 epidemic in the United States of America, it is thought that Ae. albopictus may also play a role as an important bridge vector of West Nile virus, a pathogen that has become endemic in northeastern Italy. The frequent introductions of dengue and chikungunya virus in Europe by infected travellers further indicate an increase in the risk of arbovirus outbreaks in Western regions. Recently, an outbreak of chikungunya in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, was reported in 2007. These cases emphasize the importance of investigating viral infections in febrile travellers, the potential for local outbreak of viral infections, and the necessity of maintaining active surveillance in non-endemic countries.
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