SD53: Building local awareness of a neglected mosquito-borne disease with academic research, community-engaged science, and political advocacy

Every year, children in eastern Tennessee develop neuroinvasive disease after infections with La Crosse virus (LACV) transmitted by the bite of Aedes mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). Although LACV has been a persistent focal issue for decades, there is minimal local awareness of pathogen’s existence or its risk factors, and.eastern continues to lack infrastructure for vector control and surveillance. We are actively conducting research on the ecology and epidemiology of LACV, but with no local capacity to conduct mosquito control, minimal community awareness, and a lack of awareness by policymakers, our research is unlikely to result in disease prevention. Recognizing those limitations, we are now reaching beyond the lab to raise awareness of this persistently neglected issue through community-engaged science and political advocacy. Our goal is to empower local communities to protect themselves and their children from LACV infection while advocating the need for robust infrastructure to reduce the burden of vector-borne diseases in eastern Tennessee. Here, we will present some of our efforts and discuss lessons learned during our journey beyond the lab.