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A Japanese Encephalitis-borne mosquito was discovered for the first time this year.
Accordingly, the research institute urged citizens to abide by precautionary measures such as vaccinations and caution during outdoor activities.
The Institute of Health and Environment has selected two local barns, one park, and one downtown area to monitor infectious disease vectors, and has been conducting a density survey of infectious disease vectors twice a week from April to October.
The Japanese Encephalitis-borne is a small, dark brown mosquito that lives in paddy fields, animal barns, and puddles, and mainly feeds on blood at night.
In general, it starts to increase from the southern part in June and is observed throughout Korea, and the density increases in July to September and is observed until the end of October.
Most mosquito bites with Japanese encephalitis virus are asymptomatic, but in very few cases, acute nervous system symptoms such as high fever, headache, convulsions, and coma may progress.
In particular, 20 to 30% of patients may die, so special attention is required.
Nationwide, on April 7, the first Japanese encephalitis-carrying mosquito was confirmed in Busan this year, and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a ‘Japanese encephalitis advisory’.
An official from the Institute for Health and Environment said, “To prevent Japanese encephalitis, avoiding mosquito bites and getting vaccinated is important. When doing outdoor activities, it is necessary to take care and be careful not to be bitten by mosquitoes, such as wearing bright colored long clothes and using repellents.”
