From Paralysis to Death: Nationwide Japanese Encephalitis Warning Issued

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) issued a nationwide Japanese encephalitis warning today (June 17) after the virus was detected in mosquitoes collected in the Daegu region.

The KDCA had previously issued a Japanese encephalitis advisory on March 20 of this year.

An advisory is issued when the Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito, which carries the Japanese encephalitis virus, is first collected that year. A warning is issued when one of three criteria, such as mosquito density or virus detection, is met.

This year's warning was issued about a month and a half earlier than last year's, which was issued on August 1.

However, the KDCA explained that a direct comparison is difficult, as last year's warning was based on mosquito density, while this year's was based on the detection of the virus itself.

The KDCA has been monitoring vector mosquitoes since 1975. This year, the surveillance program is being conducted at 14 locations nationwide from March to October.

Recently, in cooperation with local government health and environment research institutes, the scope of surveillance has been expanded to include the Culex pipiens mosquito in addition to the Culex tritaeniorhynchus.

The mosquito in which the Japanese encephalitis virus was detected this time was also a Culex pipiens.

In South Korea, an average of about 17 cases of Japanese encephalitis are reported annually.

In most cases, the first patient is reported between August and September, with cases continuing until November.

Of the 79 patients reported over the past five years, 60.8% were male, and 65.9% were aged 60 or older.

Japanese encephalitis initially presents with symptoms such as fever, headache, and vomiting. In rare cases, it can progress to encephalitis, leading to high fever, seizures, and paralysis, with a mortality rate of 20 to 30%.

Even among those who recover, 30 to 50% may suffer from neurological complications.

The KDCA recommends that children eligible for the national vaccination program complete their vaccinations according to the standard schedule.

Furthermore, the agency urges adults aged 18 and older who have no history of vaccination and live in or plan to visit high-risk areas, as well as long-term foreign residents, to get vaccinated at their own expense.

"Local governments must minimize the occurrence of patients by focusing on controlling larvae in stagnant water within urban areas where vector mosquitoes reside, and by simultaneously conducting adult mosquito control in resting places such as basements and shrubbery," said Lim Seung-kwan, head of the KDCA.

(Photo: Yonhap News TV, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.