The re-emerging arboviral threat: Hidden enemies: The emergence of obscure arboviral diseases, and the potential use of Wolbachia in their control

Mayaro, Oropouche, and O'Nyong-Nyong share many traits with more prominent arboviruses, like dengue and yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika. These include severe clinical symptoms, multiple animal hosts, and widespread vector species living in close proximity to human habitats, all of which constitute significant risk factors for more frequent outbreaks in the future, greatly increasing the potential of these hidden enemies to follow Zika and become the next wave of global arboviral threats. Critically, the current dearth of knowledge on these arboviruses might impede the success of future control efforts, including the potential application of Wolbachia pipientis. This bacterium inherently possesses broad anti-pathogen properties and a means of genetic drive that allows it to eliminate or replace target vector populations. We conclude that control of obscure arboviruses with Wolbachia might be possible, but successful implementation will be critically dependent on the ability to transinfect key vector species.