This list includes 12 viruses that start with L, from “La Crosse virus” to “Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus”. Several are zoonotic or linked to neurological disease. Clinicians use this list to recognize likely pathogens, and researchers use it for taxonomy and surveillance.
Viruses that start with L are viral species whose common names begin with the letter L. Notable examples include La Crosse virus, an arbovirus associated with pediatric encephalitis.
Below you’ll find the table with Classification, Affects humans?, Symptoms, Transmission, Notes, References.
Classification: You can see family, genus, and species, helping you place each virus taxonomically and compare relatives.
Affects humans?: Shows if the virus infects humans, and gives a short qualifier such as zoonotic or opportunistic.
Symptoms: Summarizes typical symptoms in a few words, so you quickly recognize likely clinical presentations and prioritize study or diagnosis.
Transmission: States the principal transmission route succinctly, letting you assess exposure risks and infection control needs.
Notes: Provides brief context such as geographic importance, reservoirs, or notable outbreaks to add practical background.
References: Points to key sources and last-updated dates so you can follow up with detailed, current information.
Viruses that start with L
| Name | Classification (ICTV family/genus/species) | Affects humans? | Transmission | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lassa virus | Arenaviridae / Mammarenavirus / Lassa mammarenavirus | Yes: zoonotic | Rodent-to-human (contact), body fluids, occasional person-to-person | Rodent-borne West African virus causing Lassa fever: fever, hemorrhage, hearing loss and long-term deafness; causes outbreaks and hospital-acquired spread. |
| La Crosse virus | Peribunyaviridae / Orthobunyavirus / La Crosse orthobunyavirus | Yes: zoonotic | Mosquito-borne (Aedes), bite | North American arbovirus causing pediatric encephalitis, fever and seizures; mainly affects children in wooded areas. |
| Laguna Negra virus | Hantaviridae / Orthohantavirus / Laguna Negra orthohantavirus | Yes: zoonotic | Inhalation of rodent excreta (aerosol), contact | South American hantavirus linked to hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome: fever, cough, sudden respiratory failure; rodent-associated. |
| Lagos bat virus | Rhabdoviridae / Lyssavirus / Lagos bat lyssavirus | Yes: zoonotic | Bat bite or saliva contact | A lyssavirus found in African bats, related to rabies; can cause rabies-like encephalitis, but human cases are rare. |
| Langat virus | Flaviviridae / Flavivirus / Langat virus | Yes: rare human infections | Tick-borne (Ixodes), bite | A tick-borne flavivirus related to tick-borne encephalitis viruses; rarely causes human disease and has been used in research. |
| Lloviu virus | Filoviridae / Cuevavirus / Lloviu cuevavirus | No: bat-associated, no known human cases | Bat-associated (unknown spillover route) | A filovirus discovered in European bats, related to Ebola/Marburg viruses; no confirmed human infections but of scientific interest. |
| Louping ill virus | Flaviviridae / Flavivirus / Louping ill virus | Yes: zoonotic | Tick-borne (Ixodes), bite | Tick-borne virus causing encephalitis in sheep and occasionally humans; human illness ranges from flu-like to neurological symptoms. |
| Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus | Arenaviridae / Mammarenavirus / Lymphocytic choriomeningitis mammarenavirus | Yes: zoonotic | Rodent (house mouse) excreta, inhalation, vertical, transplant | Rodent-borne virus causing meningitis, encephalitis or mild flu-like illness; can cause congenital infection and transplant-related outbreaks. |
| Lujo virus | Arenaviridae / Mammarenavirus / Lujo mammarenavirus | Yes: zoonotic | Likely rodent-to-human, body fluids (nosocomial) | Rare hemorrhagic fever virus from southern Africa with high fatality and hospital transmission; limited human cases reported. |
| Lymphocystis disease virus | Iridoviridae / Lymphocystivirus / Lymphocystis disease virus 1 | No: mainly fish | Direct contact, waterborne | Causes wart-like skin growths in aquarium and wild fish; notable in aquaculture but not a human pathogen. |
| Lumpy skin disease virus | Poxviridae / Capripoxvirus / Lumpy skin disease virus | No: mainly cattle | Biting insects, direct contact, fomites | Poxvirus of cattle causing nodular skin lesions and production losses; major veterinary and economic concern, not known to infect humans. |
| Lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus | Arteriviridae / Alphaarterivirus / Lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus | No: mice (laboratory) | Direct contact, blood, experimental passage | Mouse-specific virus that raises serum LDH; usually asymptomatic in rodents but important because it interferes with research studies. |