La Crosse Encephalitis primarily affects which age group?

La Crosse Encephalitis primarily affects which age group?

• A. Adults over 50
• B. Children under 15
• C. Infants under 1
• D. Teenagers 15-19

Answer: (B)

La Crosse encephalitis is a mosquito-borne virus, and in surveillance data the vast majority of clinical cases occur in people under 15 years old. This pattern shows up because children spend more time outdoors during peak mosquito activity, increasing their exposure, and their immune responses can lead to symptomatic illness more readily than in adults. While infections can happen at any age, the age group under 15 experiences the highest incidence, so this is the group most commonly affected. Prevention efforts for this disease focus on reducing mosquito exposure for children through protective clothing, repellents, and eliminating standing water near homes.

La Crosse encephalitis is a mosquito-borne virus, and in surveillance data the vast majority of clinical cases occur in people under 15 years old. This pattern shows up because children spend more time outdoors during peak mosquito activity, increasing their exposure, and their immune responses can lead to symptomatic illness more readily than in adults. While infections can happen at any age, the age group under 15 experiences the highest incidence, so this is the group most commonly affected. Prevention efforts for this disease focus on reducing mosquito exposure for children through protective clothing, repellents, and eliminating standing water near homes.