Transovarial transmission of yellow fever virus by mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti).

Female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with yellow fever virus by intrathoracic inoculation transmitted the virus to a small percentage of their F1 progeny. Infected offspring were obtained from surface-sterilized as well as from untreated eggs, indicating that the virus was transovarially transmitted. Vertical transmission of yellow fever virus in mosquitoes may be an alternative mechanism for biological survival of the virus during adverse periods or in the absence of susceptible vertebrate hosts.