Story co-written and produced with Tessa Bradshaw
Who would have thought that a vector-borne disease transmitted through the bite of a mosquito is researched at Western Carolina University?
At WCU, students have engaged in undergraduate research with Dr. Brian Byrd, on mosquitos and vector borne diseases at the Health and Science facility. The primarily mission of this research is it to educate, prevent and respond to Western Carolina’s needs.
Dr. Byrd, a Professor in the Environmental Health Sciences program, teaches courses such as Principles of Epidemiology, Medical Entomology and First Year Studies. He has also maintained an active undergraduate research program for his students at WCU that has been nationally recognized.
Dr. Byrd’s main focus is conducting research on domestic mosquito-borne diseases, specifically La Crosse encephalitis. A disease spread through a mosquitos found in Western North Carolina.
La Crosse Encephalitis is transmitted from a mosquito bite. Mild symptoms will typically appear in 3-7 days, such as fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. Most people who contract the disease will make a full recovery, although some may experience side effects for several years. Children 16 years old and younger have the highest risk of developing illness.
Hear what Dr. Byrd and his students say about their work and how to protect yourself.
