▲ Mosquitoes capable of carrying Japanese encephalitis
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) issued a nationwide Japanese encephalitis warning today (June 17) after the virus's genetic material was detected in mosquitoes collected in the Daegu region.
This year's warning was issued approximately a month and a half earlier than last year.
The mosquitoes found to be carrying the Japanese encephalitis virus were identified as Culex pipiens, which primarily inhabit stagnant water such as septic tanks.
In South Korea, an average of about 17 cases of Japanese encephalitis are reported annually. Typically, the first patient is reported between August and September, with cases continuing through November.
Among the 79 patients reported over the past five years, 60.8 percent were male, and 65.9 percent of all patients were elderly individuals aged 60 or older.
When infected with the Japanese encephalitis virus, mild symptoms such as fever, headache, and vomiting appear in the early stages.
However, in rare cases where it progresses to encephalitis, it can be accompanied by high fever, seizures, convulsions, and paralysis, with 20 to 30 percent of such cases being fatal.
The KDCA emphasized that since there is an effective vaccine for Japanese encephalitis, children eligible for the national immunization program born after 2013 must complete their vaccinations.
(Photo: Yonhap News TV, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.