Types Of Viral Encephalitis
Eastern equine is the most serious encephalitis virus in North America, according to The Mayo Clinic. As the name suggests, it afflicts horses. But it also can affect humans. Eastern equine encephalitis outbreaks occur most commonly in the Eastern United States. This virus infects birds that live near freshwater swamps.
Western equine encephalitis:
This virus affects horses and humans. Most cases of western equine encephalitis are reported in the central and western plains of the United States. This virus flourishes in birds that live near irrigated fields and farming areas.
St. Louis encephalitis:
The Mayo Clinic says that this virus causes the most common mosquito-borne disease in the United States. Like most types of viral encephalitis, it's transmitted to mosquitoes by birds. The mosquito vector of St. Louis encephalitis breeds in areas of standing water, including such places as discarded tires, polluted pools, roadside ditches, and containers such as birdbaths and flower pots.
LaCrosse encephalitis:
This virus was named for LaCrosse, Wis., where the first outbreak was recognized in 1963. It is most common in the hardwood forest areas of the upper Midwest and in Appalachia. Unlike other forms of viral encephalitis, mosquitoes acquire it from chipmunks and squirrels.
West Nile encephalitis:
This virus first appeared in the United States in 1999. It is normally found in Africa and the Middle East and in parts of Europe, Russia, India and Indonesia. The virus is very similar to the St. Louis virus in that birds are its main animal hosts.
**Information provided by the Mayo Clinic.
