St. Luis Encephalitis (SLE)

St. Luis Encephalitis (SLE)

St Luis Encephalitis Life Cycle

SLE is a mosquito-borne viral disease that can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). It is primarily found in the central and eastern United States, but cases have also been reported in Canada. 

Causes 

SLE is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito that has fed on an infected bird. The virus can also be transmitted through blood transfusions, but this is rare. 

Symptoms 

Most people infected with SLE do not develop any symptoms. However, those who do may experience: 

Fever, Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Muscle aches, Stiff neck, Confusion, and Seizures. 

Reference:

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.06.10.143818v1.full.pdf

The chance of getting St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE) is generally low because the virus is rare and most cases are asymptomatic, but it increases significantly if you live in an area with an active outbreak, spend a lot of time outdoors during dawn and dusk, or have a compromised immune system. You can reduce your risk by avoiding mosquito bites and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed. 

Reference:

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/wcm/connect/gov/95d9c114-728a-4160-b9dd-fe64966a9657/fact-sheet-sle.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CONVERT_TO=url&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE.Z18_79GCH8013HMOA06A2E16IV2082-95d9c114-728a-4160-b9dd-fe64966a9657-ohSNH8e#:~:text=Anyone%20bitten%20by%20a%20mosquito,disease%20if%20they%20are%20infected.