La Crosse encephalitis

The La Crosse encephalitis (synonyms: California meningitis, meningoencephalitis California ) is a virus-induced encephalitis, which is transmitted by mosquitoes to humans ( arbovirus ). The disease is prevalent in the United States.

Occurrence and transmission

The virus is taken up by mosquitoes during a blood meal, the reservoir are small mammals. The recorded as viruses can be transmitted by the mosquito in the next stitch on people. The distribution area lies mainly in Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio, most diseases occur during mosquito season from July to September before. The virus was first isolated in 1943 in Kern County, California, from mosquitoes. Frequently ill male adolescents and children between four and fourteen. Every year about 70 La Crosse encephalitis cases in the U.S. are counted.

Clinic

Head and body aches, malaise, nausea, fever, meningeal irritation symptoms. The symptoms sound over approximately 1 week from slowly. In half of the patients, however, a course developed more complications: seizures and paralysis occur, especially the seizures are common. The symptoms usually get better in a few days. It may come late damage (recurrent seizures, personality changes, abnormal EEG )

Therapy

No specific treatment or vaccine does not exist. Bright, long, closed clothing repellents, mosquito nets,: For travelers to endemic areas is therefore a protection is recommended as a prevention against mosquito bites day and night.