The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued a warning about Japanese encephalitis nationwide on the 27th. The warning follows the confirmation of mosquitoes that transmit Japanese encephalitis for the first time this year in Jeju and Jeollanam-do.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, among the 42 mosquitoes collected in Jeju and Jeollanam-do from the 24th to 26th of this month, 10 were confirmed to be the small red house mosquito, which transmits Japanese encephalitis. The warning about Japanese encephalitis is issued when the small red house mosquito is collected for the first time in the respective year.
This year's warning was issued 3 days earlier than last year (March 30). The average temperature in the Jeju and Wando regions of Jeollanam-do has risen by 6.2 degrees compared to last year, suggesting that the mosquito activity period has begun earlier.
The small red house mosquito is a small dark brown mosquito that inhabits paddies, animal barns, and puddles. It primarily feeds at night, and its occurrence begins at the end of March, reaching a peak between August and September.
Symptoms appear 5 to 15 days after being bitten by a mosquito infected with Japanese encephalitis. Most show mild symptoms such as fever and headache. Rarely, if it progresses to encephalitis, symptoms such as high fever, seizures, confusion, convulsions, and paralysis may occur, with a fatal risk for 20 to 30%. Among Japanese encephalitis patients, 30 to 50% experience various neurological complications depending on the affected area.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency is supporting vaccinations against Japanese encephalitis for individuals born since 2012 through national preventive vaccination programs. The agency recommended vaccinations for adults over 18 who have not been vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis and live in high-risk areas, such as near rice fields or pig farms, or plan to be active in these areas during the transmission period, as well as foreigners immigrating from non-epidemic regions for long-term residence in Korea and travelers from countries at risk for Japanese encephalitis.
Jeong Young-mi, the head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, noted, “As the activity of mosquitoes that transmit Japanese encephalitis is beginning in earnest this year, it is crucial to adhere to preventive measures during the mosquito activity period,” and added, “Children eligible for essential national vaccinations must complete their vaccinations on time.”