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The Hill
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Hill
2 children in Tennessee recovering from rare La Crosse virus spread by mosquitoes
KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE / WJW) — Two children in Tennessee are now recovering at home after being hospitalized for La Crosse virus, a rare mosquito-borne virus that can, in severe cases, lead to inflammation of the brain. The Knox County Health Department said the two children were hospitalized earlier this month. They mark the first cases of the virus this year in the county, according to health officials. Meanwhile in Ohio, a 66-year-old man was recently confirmed to have contracted La Crosse virus, Nexstar's WJW reports. What is La Crosse virus? La Crosse virus is a mosquito-borne infection. Most people who get it don't have symptoms, but those who do can have a fever, a headache, nausea, and vomiting, Knox County health officials said. In rare cases, it can become severe and lead to inflammation of the brain, or encephalitis. 'Severe disease occurs most often in children under 16 years old,' said a KCHD spokesperson. 'Most severe cases require hospitalization but will recover with supportive care. However, up to 15 percent of cases can have major neurologic complications.' According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 30 and 90 La Crosse cases are reported annually. But this number is thought to be a 'substantial under-diagnosis' due to the 'under-reporting of less severe cases.' Cases are primarily found during the late spring through early fall while mosquitoes are most active. How is La Crosse virus spread? It comes from the bite of an infected Aedes triseriatus, or eastern treehole mosquito. The Aedes mosquitoes primarily bite people in wooded areas during dawn and dusk. 'They are a little bit more of a shy mosquito, they don't aggressively come out and bite people,' Caroline Terakedis, director of environmental health services for the Tuscarawas County Health Department, told WJW. 'It's difficult to treat standing water for them because they prefer to breed in small tiny areas like tree holes, but they really like scrap tires.' 5 million above-ground pools recalled after deaths reported in 6 states Humans do not spread the virus, the CDC says. Symptoms can occur within five to 15 days of a bite. Where have cases been reported? CDC data shows that between 2003 and 2024, more than 1,500 cases of La Crosse virus were reported, with 15 confirmed deaths over the same time period. Nearly two dozen states saw at least one case of La Crosse virus during that time. North Carolina and Ohio each saw over 300 cases, while Tennessee and West Virginia had over 200 each. Other states that recorded at least one case include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. 'Quiet cracking' is the newest term for a workplace problem — and it's 'pretty pervasive,' expert says The vast majority of human cases reported to the CDC were among those under the age of 18. How to avoid getting La Crosse virus Similar to advice for preventing West Nile virus, health experts recommend using insect repellants (such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535 and oil of lemon eucalyptus), treating your clothes with repellents like permethrin, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants while near wooded areas, and covering strollers with mosquito netting. Knox County health officials also recommended reducing standing water on your property to control the mosquito population. This includes turning over items that hold water, like flowerpot saucers, once a week. Health officials have advised parents and guardians to seek emergency care if they see neurological issues in their children. This would include seizures, mental changes, and drowsiness or trouble staying awake. The Tuscarawas County Health Department says there is no vaccine against the virus, and there are no medications to specifically treat La Crosse encephalitis.
Business Mayor
24-04-2025
- Health
- Business Mayor
La Crosse virus disease: The rare mosquito-borne illness that causes deadly brain inflammation
Disease name: La Crosse virus disease Affected populations: La Crosse virus disease is a rare viral illness that is spread to humans via mosquito bites. The name comes from La Crosse County, Wisconsin, where the disease was first observed by doctors in the 1960s . Approximately 30 to 90 cases of La Crosse virus disease are reported in the U.S. each year. Around 60% of those cases occur in males, and 90% affect people under 20 years old. Transmission of La Crosse virus most often happens in late spring through early fall, when mosquito populations peak. Most cases of the disease occur in upper Midwestern, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern U.S. states . No cases have ever been reported outside the U.S . Related: New York resident dies of eastern equine encephalitis — what is it? Causes: La Crosse virus disease is caused by the La Crosse virus, which is spread to humans via the bites of mosquitoes carrying the germ. Most commonly, a species known as Aedes triseriatus spreads the virus to humans. As their name suggests, these mosquitoes typically breed in holes within trees , and they also lay eggs in outdoor containers that hold standing water. People who live, work or spend recreational time in wooded areas have a higher risk of becoming infected with La Crosse virus than others, as they are more likely to come into contact with A. triseriatus mosquitoes. Get the world's most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox. Once inside the human body, the La Crosse virus can infiltrate the central nervous system, including the brain, and infect and damage neurons there. La Crosse virus disease cannot be spread from person to person ; the only way people can catch it is directly from mosquito bites. Mosquitoes can't pick up the virus from infected people, because it never reaches a high enough concentration in the blood. For this reason, humans are considered 'dead-end' hosts of the La Crosse virus. (In the environment, mosquitoes pick up the virus from small mammals, such as squirrels and chipmunks .) The La Crosse virus can enter the human brain and attack neurons, causing severe inflammation as it does so. (Image credit: KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images) Symptoms: Around 96% of people exposed to La Crosse virus do not develop any symptoms. The small percentage who do may initially experience a fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms can emerge within three to 10 days of being bitten by an infected mosquito. For some people, especially children under 16, these symptoms can then progress to more severe disease. For instance, the virus may cause brain inflammation , known as encephalitis. Around 75% of the La Crosse cases that involve encephalitis occur in children. The fatality rate from La Crosse encephalitis is less than 1%. However, between 5% and 15% of patients who recover from this condition can go on to experience recurring seizures after the initial infection has passed. Treatments: There is no cure for La Crosse virus disease, nor a vaccine that can help prevent infection. However, patients with severe symptoms may be given supportive care in the hospital . People can reduce their risk of being infected with La Crosse virus by avoiding mosquito bites in the first place. They can do this by using recommended insect repellents and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants while outdoors, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends .
