RAS question
Japanese Encephalitis is transmitted by which mosquito?
Correct answer: (B) Culex tritaeniorhynchus.
Japanese encephalitis is transmitted mainly by infected Culex mosquitoes, especially Culex tritaeniorhynchus.
Explanation
Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral disease, and its specific vector is Culex tritaeniorhynchus. The WHO fact sheet confirms that Japanese encephalitis virus is spread by mosquitoes, especially Culex tritaeniorhynchus, and that transmission occurs through bites from infected Culex mosquitoes. These mosquitoes breed around rice paddies, while pigs and wading or water birds help maintain and amplify the virus cycle. Humans are affected after an infected mosquito bite, so vector identification is central to understanding Japanese encephalitis transmission. Culex tritaeniorhynchus, not a general mosquito family name or another disease vector, is the precise vector for Japanese encephalitis.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Mansonia is wrong because Japanese encephalitis is transmitted by Culex tritaeniorhynchus, not Mansonia.
- (C) Aedes aegypti is wrong because it is associated with dengue and Zika, while Japanese encephalitis is linked to Culex tritaeniorhynchus.
- (D) Anopheles stephensi is wrong because it is associated with malaria, whereas JE transmission is through infected Culex mosquitoes, mainly Culex tritaeniorhynchus.
Concept
Vector-borne disease mapping in Science and Technology connects disease, agent, vector, host and prevention. RAS public-health coverage often connects biology with government disease-control programmes.