Barry W. Alto
0000-0001-7054-2081

Specialist

associate professor, medical entomology and arbovirology, UF/IFAS Florida Medical Entomology Lab (FMEL), Vero Beach, FL

FMEL Profile

Publications

Zika, a Mosquito-Transmitted Virus

L. P. Lounibos, B. W. Alto, N. D. Burkett-Cadena, C. C. Lord, C. T. Smartt, C. R. Connelly, and J. R. Rey

Zika is a mosquito-transmitted virus that has spread broadly in tropical regions and caused epidemics. In 2015, Zika became a larger concern when a strain of the virus traced to outbreaks in French Polynesia emerged in northeastern Brazil. This strain provoked alarm because of increased incidence of microcephaly in babies born to Zika-infected mothers. This 7-page fact sheet describes the Zika microbe, its mosquito hosts, and the disease it causes. A history of the virus and its migration are included, along with some details about the virus in the state of Florida and preventative measures people can take to avoid infection. The best way to avoid contracting Zika (and other mosquito-borne diseases) is not to get bitten in the first place. Take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

El Zika, un Virus Transmitido por Mosquitos

L. P. Lounibos, B. W. Alto, N. D. Burkett-Cadena, C. C. Lord, C. T. Smartt, and C. R. Connelly

Zika es un virus transmitido por mosquitos que se ha esparcido recientemente en regiones tropicales y ha causado epidemias, especialmente durante los últimos 8 o 9 años. En su ámbito nativo en África Occidental y Uganda, el virus se mantiene en los bosques, circulando entre mosquitos que viven en huecos de árboles y primates arbóreos; las infecciones de humanos se consideran incidentales y de poca importancia médica. Una cepa del virus que se implicó en brotes en Polinesia Francesa emergió en el Norte de Brasil en el 2015 y causó gran consternación debido a la alta incidencia de microcefalia en bebes nacidos de madres que fueron infectadas con el virus durante la gestación. Transmisión local, principalmente por el mosquito de la fiebre amarilla Aedes aegypti, ha sido documentada en la mayoría de los países tropicales de las Américas, pero aún no se ha detectado en Los Estados Unidos Continentales. Los síntomas de la infección incluyen, salpullido, dolor de cabeza, fiebre, dolor muscula

Keystone Virus: A Neglected Mosquito-Borne Arbovirus

Abdullah A. Alomar, Lawrence E. Reeves, and Barry W. Alto

Keystone virus (KEYV) is an emerging negative-sense single-stranded RNA arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) that can be transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito vector. This publication provides an overview of the KEYV distribution, potential vectors, transmission cycle, symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention.

Elephant mosquito Toxorhynchites rutilus Coquillett, 1896 (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Abdullah A. Alomar and Barry W. Alto

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Asian Malaria Mosquito Anopheles stephensi Liston, 1901 (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)