Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) distribution, diversity, and Zika virus RNA detection in multiple species in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Roziah Ali^1,4, Ruziyatul Aznieda Azmi¹, Muhammad Faizan A Shukor¹, Muhammad Taufik Nasaruddin¹, Azahari Abd Hadi¹, Khairul Asuad Muhamed¹, Cheong Yoon Ling², Rosilawati Rasli¹, Topek Omar³, Wan Kiew Lian⁴, Nazni Wasi Ahmad¹ and Lee Han Lim¹

1. Medical Entomology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health, Selangor, Malaysia.

2. Biomedical Epidemiology Unit, Special Resource Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

3. Entomology and Pest Unit Public Health Division, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur & Putrajaya Health Department, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Cenderasari, 50590 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

4. Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43000 Selangor, Malaysia.

*Corresponding author: Roziah Ali, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CITATION: Ali, R., Azmi, R. A., A Shukor, M. F., Nasaruddin, M. T., Abd Hadi, A., Muhamed, K. A., Cheong, Y. L., Rasli, R., Omar, T., Wan, K. L., Ahmad, N. W., & Lee, H. L. (2026). Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) distribution, diversity, and Zika virus RNA detection in multiple species in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. International Medical Research Journal, 12(1), 54–68. https://doi.org/10.63719/imrj.2026.12.01.005

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ABSTRACT

Malaysia, particularly the state of Sabah, has experienced autochthonous transmission of the Zika virus (ZIKV), highlighting an ongoing public health concern. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution and diversity of potential mosquito vectors in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, and to detect the presence of ZIKV RNA in field-caught specimens. A total of 1,288 mosquito specimens, comprising adult and larval stages, were collected using six sampling methods: handheld mosquito aspirator, human landing catch, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention light trap, sticky ovitrap, larval surveillance, and conventional ovitrap. A total of 14 species belonging to seven genera were identified, among which Aedes albopictus was the predominant species (77.02%), followed by Tripteroides sp. (10.01%). Zika virus RNA was detected exclusively in adult mosquitoes collected using the sticky ovitrap, with positive detections in Ae. albopictus, Ae. paullusi, Niveus group, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. sitiens, and Tripteroides sp. via real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The data obtained in this study provide pivotal information on other mosquito species that may play a significant role in Zika virus transmission.

KEYWORDS: Zika, Arbovirus, Mosquito surveillance, Aedes, Culex