St. Louis Encephalitis is transmitted by which mosquitoes?

St. Louis Encephalitis is transmitted by which mosquitoes?

• A. Aedes aegypti
• B. Culex quinquefasciatus and C. nigripalpus
• C. Anopheles gambiae
• D. Mansonia uniformis

Answer: (B)

St. Louis Encephalitis virus is spread mainly through Culex mosquitoes, which feed on birds and then transmit the virus to humans. The two most important vectors for this virus are Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex nigripalpus, especially in urban and suburban environments. This is why that option is the best choice: it reflects the primary mosquito species known to transmit SLEV in many regions, including areas like Georgia. Other mosquitoes listed are major vectors for different diseases—Aedes aegypti is famous for dengue and Zika, Anopheles gambiae for malaria—so they are not the primary transmitters of St. Louis Encephalitis. Mansonia uniformis is not considered a key SLEV vector. Understanding that Culex species drive SLEV transmission helps explain why targeting Culex breeding sites and adult populations is essential for control.

St. Louis Encephalitis virus is spread mainly through Culex mosquitoes, which feed on birds and then transmit the virus to humans. The two most important vectors for this virus are Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex nigripalpus, especially in urban and suburban environments. This is why that option is the best choice: it reflects the primary mosquito species known to transmit SLEV in many regions, including areas like Georgia.

Other mosquitoes listed are major vectors for different diseases—Aedes aegypti is famous for dengue and Zika, Anopheles gambiae for malaria—so they are not the primary transmitters of St. Louis Encephalitis. Mansonia uniformis is not considered a key SLEV vector. Understanding that Culex species drive SLEV transmission helps explain why targeting Culex breeding sites and adult populations is essential for control.