Question

Encephalitis is caused by the bite of

• A. Anopheles
• B. Culex
• C. Aedes
• D. Culex and Aedes.

Answer 1

The correct option is D Culex and Aedes.

Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain. Encephalitis can develop as a result of a direct infection to the brain by a virus, bacterium, or fungus, or when the immune system responds to a previous infection; the immune system mistakenly attacks brain tissue. Primary (infectious) encephalitis can be split into three main categories of viruses:

1. Common viruses, including HSV (herpes simplex virus) and EBV (Epstein-Barr virus)
   
2. Childhood viruses, including measles and mumps
   
3. Arboviruses (spread by mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects), including Japanese encephalitis, West Nile encephalitis, and tick-borne encephalitis. Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is the causative agent of Japanese encephalitis, the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. JEV transmission cycle involves mosquitoes and vertebrate hosts. In a study, it was detected that populations of Ae. albopictus and Cx. pipiens were efficient vectors for JEV transmission.
   

So, the correct answer is 'Culex and Aedes.'.