St. Louis Encephalitis (Cont.)

St. Louis Encephalitis: Statistics

St. Louis encephalitis is the most common human disease caused by mosquitoes in the United States. Since 1964, there have been about 4,440 confirmed cases of St. Louis encephalitis, with an average of 130 cases per year. Up to 3,000 cases have been reported during epidemics in some years. Many more St. Louis encephalitis infections occur without symptoms, and therefore go undiagnosed.
 

Preventing St. Louis Encephalitis

There is no vaccine for St. Louis encephalitis. Prevention depends on public health action to control mosquitoes and on individual action to avoid mosquito bites. To avoid being bitten by mosquitoes that can carry the St. Louis encephalitis virus:
 
  • Stay inside when the mosquitoes are most active (between dusk and dark)
  • Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors
  • Spray exposed skin with insect repellent.
     

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD