Which mosquito-borne disease does NOT match with its common mosquito vector in the United States?

Which mosquito-borne disease does NOT match with its common mosquito vector in the United States?

• A. West Nile Virus: Culex pipiens
• B. St Louis encephalitis: Psorophora columbiae
• C. Malaria: Anopheles quadrimaculatus
• D. Dengue: Aedes aegypti

Answer: (B)

West Nile Virus is predominantly transmitted by Culex pipiens, which is a well-known vector for this disease in the United States. The pairing for Malaria with Anopheles quadrimaculatus is also accurate, as this mosquito species is the primary vector for transmitting malaria in certain regions of the U.S. Dengue fever is correctly associated with Aedes aegypti, a primary vector in transmitting this disease. In contrast, St. Louis encephalitis is primarily transmitted by Culex mosquitoes, including Culex pipiens, rather than Psorophora columbiae. While Psorophora columbiae can be involved in the transmission of other mosquito-borne diseases, it is not typically recognized as the primary vector for St. Louis encephalitis. This misassociation highlights why this option stands out as not aligning correctly with its respective disease and vector relationship in a public health context.

West Nile Virus is predominantly transmitted by Culex pipiens, which is a well-known vector for this disease in the United States. The pairing for Malaria with Anopheles quadrimaculatus is also accurate, as this mosquito species is the primary vector for transmitting malaria in certain regions of the U.S. Dengue fever is correctly associated with Aedes aegypti, a primary vector in transmitting this disease.

In contrast, St. Louis encephalitis is primarily transmitted by Culex mosquitoes, including Culex pipiens, rather than Psorophora columbiae. While Psorophora columbiae can be involved in the transmission of other mosquito-borne diseases, it is not typically recognized as the primary vector for St. Louis encephalitis. This misassociation highlights why this option stands out as not aligning correctly with its respective disease and vector relationship in a public health context.