St. Louis encephalitis historical perspective
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Anthony Gallo, B.S. [2]; Contributor(s): Irfan Dotani [3]
Overview
Overview
St. Louis encephalitis was first discovered by Dr. Joseph F. Bredeck, an American Director of Public Health for the City of St. Louis, in 1933 following a major outbreak in the city. During Autumn of 1933, over 1,000 cases were reported to local health departments and the National Institute of Health.[1][2][3] The previously unknown virus that caused the epidemic was isolated by the NIH team first in monkeys and then in white mice.[4]
Historical Perspective
Historical Perspective
St. Louis encephalitis was first discovered by Dr. Joseph F. Bredeck, an American Director of Public Health for the City of St. Louis, in 1933 following a major outbreak in the city. During Autumn of 1933, over 1,000 cases were reported to local health departments and the National Institute of Health. The previously unknown virus that caused the epidemic was isolated by the NIH team first in monkeys and then in white mice.[4] There have been several outbreaks of St. Louis encephalitis which are summarized below:[1][2][3][5][6]
| Year of Epidemic | Description of Epidemic |
|---|---|
| 1933 | In 1933, St. Louis encephalitis was first founded by Dr. Joseph F. Bredeck after 77 cases and 14 deaths were confirmed. |
| 1959 | In 1959, an outbreak of St. Louis encephalitis resulted in 31 confirmed cases, including 24 deaths. |
| 1961 | In 1961, an outbreak of St. Louis encephalitis in Tampa Bay, Florida resulted in 32 cases, including 7 deaths. |
| 1965 | In 1965, an outbreak of St. Louis encephalitis resulted in 265 confirmed cases, including 43 deaths. |
| 1977 | In 1977, an outbreak of St. Louis encephalitis resulted in 110 confirmed cases, including 32 presumptive cases. |
| 1980 | In 1980, an outbreak of St. Louis encephalitis resulted in 729 cases, including 4 deaths. |
| 1990 | In 1990, an outbreak of St. Louis encephalitis resulted in 64 confirmed, including 26 presumptive cases. |
References
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 “ENCEPHALITIS IN ST. LOUIS”. Am J Public Health Nations Health. 23 (10): 1058–60. 1933. PMC 1558319. PMID 18013846.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bredeck JF (1933). “The Story of the Epidemic of Encephalitis in St. Louis”. Am J Public Health Nations Health. 23 (11): 1135–40. PMC 1558406. PMID 18013860.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Epidemiologic Notes and Reports St. Louis Encephalitis — Baytown and Houston, Texas. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1998). http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00000817.htm Accessed July 28, 2016.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Edward A. Beeman: Charles Armstrong, M.D.: A Biography; 2007; p. 305; also online here (PDF).
- ↑ SAINT LOUIS ENCEPHALITIS: A FLORIDA PROBLEM. Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory. http://mosquito.ifas.ufl.edu/SLE.htm Accessed on May 3, 2016.
- ↑ Current Trends Update: St. Louis Encephalitis — Florida and Texas, 1990. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1998). http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00001813.htm Accessed on July 28, 2016.
Looking for the patient version?
© 2026 MyEClinic – IFTM Institut für Telematik in der Medizin GmbH