Recent expansion of mosquito-borne pathogens into Texas

Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) have been important sources of vector-borne human diseases in Texas for centuries, with dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever undoubtedly causing outbreaks dating to the 19th century. However, in addition to more recent introductions of the former two viruses during the past 1-3 decades, West Nile virus (WNV) arrived in Texas in 2002 and now appears to be permanently enzootic/endemic, and Zika virus arrived recently in 2016 without evidence of persistence during the past two years. All of these viruses except WNV circulate in urban settings amplified by humans and transmitted mainly by the peridomestic mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti. Increased human travel, tropical urbanization, and the resurgence of this vector in the Americas have all increased the risk of continued introductions and local outbreaks. In addition, several other arboviruses appear to have the potential for efficient transmission in Texas if introduced (like WNV) including other flaviviruses, alphaviruses, and bunyaviruses that are also reviewed here.