Knox County, Tennessee – Two kids in Tennessee are on the road to recovery after a hospital stay caused by the lacrosse virus, a rare illness transmitted by mosquitoes that can result in severe brain inflammation.
The Knox County Health Department noted that the children were hospitalized earlier this month, marking the first reported cases of this virus in the county this year.
In a related situation in Ohio, a 66-year-old man has been confirmed to have contracted the lacrosse virus.
What is lacrosse virus?
The lacrosse virus is an infection spread by mosquitoes. According to Knox County Health Officials, most individuals infected don’t exhibit symptoms, but some may experience fever, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. In rare instances, it can escalate and cause encephalitis.
A spokesperson from the health department mentioned, “Severe illnesses are most common in children under 16. While most severe cases require hospitalization, they generally recover with supportive care. Nevertheless, up to 15% of cases might lead to significant neurological complications.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 30 to 90 cases of lacrosse virus are recorded each year. However, this figure is thought to be an undercount since many less severe cases go unreported. It’s most commonly seen in late spring and early autumn when mosquito activity is high.
How does lacrosse virus spread?
The virus is transmitted through bites from infected mosquitoes, particularly the Aedes species, which are more prevalent in wooded areas during dawn and dusk.
These mosquitoes, noted to be a bit more timid, often prefer to breed in small water sources like tree holes and even in discarded tires, making them harder to control.
Humans are not the source of spreading the virus; symptoms can appear 5-15 days after a bite.
Where was the case reported?
CDC data reveals over 1,500 cases of lacrosse virus have been tallied from 2003 to 2024, with 15 confirmed deaths within that period.
Nearly 20 states have reported at least one case of this virus, with North Carolina and Ohio each seeing over 300 cases, while Tennessee and West Virginia reported over 200. Other states with confirmed cases include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The majority of reported human cases were in individuals under 18 years old.
How to avoid lacrosse virus
To prevent contracting the lacrosse virus, health experts suggest using insect repellents like DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and lemon eucalyptus. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants in wooded areas and using mosquito nets can also help.
In Knox County, health officials recommend eliminating standing water around homes, such as by turning over flower pot saucers weekly to prevent mosquito breeding.
Parents and caregivers are urged to seek immediate medical attention if their child exhibits neurological symptoms like seizures, changes in mental state, excessive sleepiness, or difficulty waking.
Currently, there is no vaccine for this virus, nor is there a specific treatment for lacrosse encephalitis.
