Expert Research - Let our experts help with your questions and coverage about La Crosse encephalitis

Earlier this year, WCU researchers were given a serious boost to research funding in their quest to learn more about the transmission and various risk factors that come along with the disease.

La Crosse encephalitis is a disease that causes swelling of the brain and transmitted primarily by mosquitoes and impacts mostly young children.

Symptoms can include fever, nausea, fatigue, disorientation and in rare cases, death.

The announcement was featured on ABC News last month.

La Crosse encephalitis is the most common mosquito-borne disease in our mountains and mainly impacts children.

The UNC Collaboratory has given WCU a three-year, $150,000 award to help identify environmental and behavioral risk factors.

“We have some evidence suggest that risk may persist from year to year to year, and we really need some funding to help us go from year to year to year to sort of get a better handle on these environmental variables,” environmental health science professor Brian Byrd.  January 19 - ABC News

If you're a reporter looking to know about La Crosse encephalitis or the research taking place at WCU - then let us help with your stories.

Brian Byrd is a professor in the Environmental Health Sciences program, College of Health and Human Sciences, Western Carolina University. Brian is available to speak to media about this important topic - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.