Which mosquito species is the leading cause of encephalitis cases in the US?

The leading cause of encephalitis cases in the United States is primarily attributed to the Culex mosquito species. This genus is known to be a vector for various viruses, including West Nile Virus, which is one of the most significant causes of viral encephalitis in the U.S. Culex mosquitoes breed in stagnant water and are often found in urban areas, making them more likely to come into contact with humans.

In contrast, while other mosquito species such as Aedes can vector diseases like dengue fever and Zika virus, they are not the main contributors to encephalitis cases in the U.S. Anopheles mosquitoes are primarily known for transmitting malaria, and Mansonia mosquitoes are less commonly associated with encephalitis. Thus, Culex remains the dominant species in this context, underscoring the importance of understanding mosquito vectors in public health initiatives aimed at preventing the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.