Poll: Chikungunya in the South-Eastern United States

Do you think a chikungunya epidemic is credible threat in the South-Eastern United States?

On one hand, a competent vectors (Aedes albopictus) is present, climatic conditions are favorable, and international tourism offers plenty of opportunities for the importation of this disease. However, the human density is low compared to parts of the world where chikungunya epidemics occured, and the American lifestyle (driving cars, air-conditioning and window screens) limits the contact with vectors.

Please indicate your opinion using the online poll on the right. I will report back on its results.

News focus on Aedes albopictus in current issue of Science

There is an excellent News Focus article on the global spread of Aedes albopictus  by Martin Enserink in the current issue of Science. The article gives the historical background of the spread of this mosquito, and highlights its potential public health consequences. Admirably, a clear distinction is made in regards to Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito. It's very interesting to see the differences in the judgment of different experts (notably Duane Gubler and Didier Fontanille) in terms of the level of risk attributed to Aedes albopictus. One aspect that I was lacking from this article was raising the possibility of a chikungunya outbreak in the South-Eastern United States. Nonetheless, this article is an excellent read and is highly recommended for anyone interested in mosquitoes and the diseases they spread.