Surreal image of a mosquito carrying a brain-shaped cloud over a world map, symbolizing La Crosse Encephalitis awareness.

Decoding La Crosse Encephalitis: Why This Virus Deserves More Attention

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Despite its neurological risks, La Crosse Virus research lags behind Zika and Chikungunya. Discover why experts are calling for increased vigilance and preventive measures."

La Crosse Encephalitis (LCE), caused by the La Crosse virus (LACV), is a mosquito-borne illness primarily affecting the brain. Belonging to the Bunyaviridae family and transmitted mainly by Aedes triseriatus mosquitoes, LACV is prevalent in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States, especially in the Appalachian and Midwestern regions.

Recent years have seen a concerning rise in LCE cases in the southeastern United States. Health experts believe this increase is partly due to the spread of Aedes albopictus, another mosquito species capable of transmitting LACV. Unlike Aedes aegypti, which is not an efficient vector, Aedes albopictus has become a more common carrier in many areas, heightening the risk of infection.

Given these trends, an observational and descriptive study was conducted to analyze the global scientific research on LACV. This bibliometric study examined scientific publications from three major databases—Science Citation Index (SCI), Scopus, and Medline/PubMed—to assess the extent and focus of current research efforts.

Why La Crosse Virus Research Needs a Boost: Comparing It to Other Viral Threats

Surreal image of a mosquito carrying a brain-shaped cloud over a world map, symbolizing La Crosse Encephalitis awareness.

The study's findings reveal a significant disparity in research attention between LACV and other viral diseases. While viruses like Zika, Mayaro, and Chikungunya have garnered extensive research efforts, LACV remains comparatively understudied. This gap raises concerns, especially considering LACV's potential to cause neurological complications.

Data from the study highlights the following:

Limited Global Research: Only 32 related records were retrieved in the search across major scientific databases.
Geographic Concentration: The majority of studies originated from the United States and Brazil.
Key Institutions and Authors: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was identified as the institution with the most research output, with DeFoliart recognized as a leading author in the field.
Database Discrepancies: No articles were recorded in the SciELO, LILACS, and IMBIOMED databases, indicating a lack of research in these Spanish-language resources.

Although many LACV cases resolve without complications and with low mortality rates, a subset of patients experience long-term neurological issues such as recurrent seizures, hemiparesis, and cognitive alterations. With other viruses circulating in the same regions also causing neurological effects, accurate diagnosis becomes even more challenging. Despite Aedes aegypti being a less efficient vector for LACV, it can still facilitate the virus's spread, especially via air travel.

The Imperative for Increased Research and Prevention

Given the relatively low research output on LACV compared to other viral threats, there is a clear need to foster greater cooperation and research efforts. With increasing global mobility, LACV poses a risk to travelers' health, underscoring the importance of understanding and preventing its spread. Currently, no specific treatment or vaccine exists for LACV, making preventive measures and further research all the more critical.

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Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is La Crosse Encephalitis?

La Crosse Encephalitis (LCE) is a disease affecting the brain, caused by the La Crosse virus (LACV). It belongs to the Bunyaviridae family and is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes triseriatus mosquitoes. Though prevalent in regions like Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States, specifically the Appalachian and Midwestern areas, its rising incidence in the southeastern United States due to the spread of Aedes albopictus is concerning.

Why is research on the La Crosse virus so important?

Research on the La Crosse virus (LACV) is vital because, while many cases resolve without complications, some individuals experience long-term neurological problems, including recurrent seizures, hemiparesis, and cognitive alterations. Unlike viruses like Zika, Mayaro, and Chikungunya, LACV is understudied, leading to gaps in understanding its transmission, prevention, and treatment. Increased research is necessary to protect public health, especially given the absence of a specific vaccine or treatment.

Which mosquitoes spread the La Crosse virus?

The Aedes triseriatus mosquito is the primary vector for transmitting the La Crosse virus (LACV). However, the Aedes albopictus mosquito is also capable of transmitting LACV and is becoming more common in many areas, increasing the risk of infection. While Aedes aegypti is not an efficient vector, it can still contribute to the virus's spread, particularly through air travel. Understanding the roles of different mosquito species is crucial for effective prevention strategies.

Are there any treatments or vaccines for La Crosse Encephalitis?

Currently, there is no specific treatment or vaccine available for La Crosse Encephalitis (LCE). This makes preventive measures, such as mosquito control and personal protection against mosquito bites, extremely important. Further research is needed to develop targeted treatments and vaccines to reduce the risk of long-term neurological complications associated with LACV infection.

Who is doing the research on the La Crosse virus and where is it being done?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been identified as a key institution in La Crosse virus (LACV) research. However, a bibliometric study revealed limited global research on LACV, with a majority of studies originating from the United States and Brazil. The absence of research in Spanish-language resources like SciELO, LILACS, and IMBIOMED also indicates a need for broader international collaboration.