Detection of Orthobunyavirus in mosquitoes collected in Argentina

Bunyamwera virus (BUNV) (Bunyaviridae, genusOrthobunyavirus, serogroup Bunyamwera) is considered an emerging pathogen for humans and animals in American countries. The CbaAr-426 strain of BUNV was recov- ered from mosquitoes Ochlerotatus albifasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) collected in Cordoba province (Argentina), where serological studies detected high seropreva- lences in humans and animals. Molecular detection of Orthobunyavirus was per- formed in mosquitoes collected in Cordoba province . Seventeen mosquito pools of Oc. albifasciatus, Ochlerotatus scapularis and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culi- cidae) showed positive results; four of these positive pools, all of Oc. scapularis ,w ere sequenced. All amplicons grouped with BUNV in the Bunyamwera serogroup. The find- ings highlight the circulation of BUNV in Cordoba province and represent the first report of BUNV-infectedOc. scapularis mosquitoes in Argentina.