After the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued a nationwide alert for Japanese encephalitis, researchers at the Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment sorted mosquitoes on the afternoon of July 27.
SUWON, July 27 (Korea Bizwire) – The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) issued a nationwide alert for Japanese encephalitis on Thursday after confirming Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes carrying the disease in Busan.
The alert is triggered when the average number of mosquitoes collected twice a week surpasses 500, representing over 50% of the total mosquito density.
Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes transmit Japanese encephalitis and are active in rice fields, animal barns, and puddles, primarily at night. Their numbers increase from June to October.
Japanese encephalitis affects about 20 people annually, with most cases showing mild symptoms. Severe cases can result in high fever, seizures, and paralysis, with a fatality rate of 20-30%.
In the last five years, 54 out of 92 cases reported complications, including cognitive impairment, paralysis, speech issues, seizures, and psychosis.
After the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued a nationwide alert for Japanese encephalitis, researchers at the Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment sorted mosquitoes on the afternoon of July 27.
Vaccination is recommended for children born after January 1, 2010, and those residing in high-risk areas near mosquitoes or planning extended stays in risky countries.
Image credit: Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
