Experts studying mosquitoes’ ability to carry Zika in Minnesota

Asian Tiger mosquito one of interest

The Zika Virus has made its way to Florida, where mosquitoes are carrying the virus.

Minnesota has also had some mosquitoes with Zika, but those Asian Tiger bugs hitched a ride in some to-be recycled tires from Texas.

Over the next few weeks, though, Minnesota will be try to find the type of insects in this region which might possibly infect people.

They’ll look in populated areas, like Rochester and Winona.

“Any place where a lot of interstate commerce and traffic might occur,” Minnesota Dept. of Health spokesman Doug Schultz said.

That Asian Tiger is one that could transmit the virus, Schultz said. Surviving winter, however, is another story.

“We don’t believe that mosquito can survive our Minnestoa winters,” Schultz said. “But if it could survive, that would most likely happen in Southern Minnesota where winters tend to be milder.”

At this point, though, Schultz says the MDH is more concerned about La Crosse encephalitis and West Nile virus, than Zika.