First record of Aedes (Stegomyia) unilineatus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Entomological surveillance was conducted in Asir, Jizan, and Makkah regions, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during December 2000 in response to an outbreak of Rift Valley fever. Aedes (Stegomyia) unilineatus was collected in CO2-baited Centers for Disease Control miniature light traps at 4 widely spaced sites. This represents the 1st record of this species from the Arabian Peninsula. Previously, the distribution of Ae. unilineatus included Africa, Pakistan, and India. No arboviruses were isolated from 18 females tested by Vero cell plaque assay.

Isolation and genetic characterization of Rift Valley fever virus from Aedes vexans arabiensis, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

An outbreak of Rift Valley fever in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Yemen in 2000 was the first recognized occurrence of the illness outside of Africa and Madagascar. An assessment of potential mosquito vectors in the region yielded an isolate from Aedes vexans arabiensis, most closely related to strains from Madagascar (1991) and Kenya (1997).