Mosquito Alert! 'Japanese Encephalitis Mosquito' Found in Gyeongnam

Gyeongnam Institute of Health and Environment: "No Treatment, Get Vaccinated and Avoid Bites"

Recommend Minimizing Skin Exposure, Using Mosquito Repellent, Screens, and Nets

The Gyeongsangnam-do Institute of Health and Environment conducted a Japanese encephalitis prediction project using mosquito traps and discovered the small red house mosquito.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The Japanese encephalitis mosquito, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, was found in Gyeongnam on the 20th.

The Gyeongsangnam-do Health and Environment Research Institute announced that one Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito was discovered during the 5th week of the Japanese encephalitis prediction project.

The Health and Environment Research Institute collects mosquitoes to investigate the presence and density of vector mosquitoes, using the data for issuing Japanese encephalitis advisories and warnings as part of the Japanese encephalitis prediction project.

To prevent Japanese encephalitis infection, the project is conducted annually in cooperation with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, surveying vector mosquito occurrence and density at nine city and provincial health and environment research institutes and regional climate change vector surveillance centers.

This year as well, from March to October, when mosquito activity begins, mosquito traps with attractant lights were installed at livestock farms in the province every Monday and Tuesday to collect mosquitoes.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issues a Japanese encephalitis advisory when vector mosquitoes are first confirmed in this prediction project each year. This year, Culex tritaeniorhynchus was first confirmed in Busan on the 7th, and an advisory has been issued nationwide.

Most cases of Japanese encephalitis show no symptoms, but the disease develops after an incubation period of 5 to 15 days following a mosquito bite.

Symptoms include high fever of 39 to 40 degrees Celsius, headache, lethargy or agitation. As the disease progresses, the central nervous system becomes infected, causing consciousness disorders, seizures, coma, and can lead to death.

Precautions for Preventing Mosquito-Borne Infectious Diseases.

The institute urged people to avoid mosquito bites by ▲wearing light-colored long pants and long-sleeved clothes during outdoor activities to minimize skin exposure ▲using mosquito repellent on exposed skin ▲using window screens or mosquito nets.

An official from the institute said, “There is no special treatment for Japanese encephalitis, so vaccination and careful avoidance of mosquito bites are necessary,” and added, “It is also important to manage the surrounding environment by eliminating puddles around homes that can serve as breeding grounds for vector mosquito larvae.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.