Japanese Encephalitis Vector Mosquito First Found This Year in Ulsan... "No Pathogenic Virus Detected"

Ulsan Health and Environment Research Institute, Collection of 'Jageunppalganjip Mosquito'

The 'small red house mosquito,' a vector of Japanese encephalitis, has been found in Ulsan. This is the first observation in Ulsan this year, following Jeju and Busan.

On the 13th, the Ulsan City Health and Environment Research Institute announced that the Japanese encephalitis vector mosquito was first discovered on the 8th in Cheongnyang-eup, Ulju-gun.

This was confirmed to be about 9 days earlier than last year. Tests on the collected mosquitoes for five pathogens (Japanese encephalitis, West Nile virus, Zika virus, yellow fever virus, dengue virus) showed no pathogenic viruses detected.

Earlier, on March 23, the Japanese encephalitis vector mosquito was first confirmed this year in Jeju and Busan areas, prompting the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency to issue a 'Japanese Encephalitis Advisory.'

The small red house mosquito is a dark brown, small mosquito that transmits Japanese encephalitis and inhabits rice paddies, animal barns, and puddles, mainly active in blood-feeding at night.

Generally, their numbers begin to increase from June in the southern regions, are observed nationwide in Korea, peak in density from July to September, and can be seen until the end of October.

Most people bitten by mosquitoes carrying the Japanese encephalitis virus show no symptoms, but since 20-30% of patients who develop fatal acute encephalitis may die, special caution is required.

An official from the Health and Environment Research Institute stated, "To prevent Japanese encephalitis, avoiding mosquito bites and vaccination are important, and children aged 12 months to 12 years should receive vaccinations according to the standard immunization schedule."

At home, it is necessary to use window screens or mosquito nets, and during outdoor activities, wear light-colored long clothing and use repellents to prevent mosquito bites through proper management and caution.

The small red house mosquito that transmits Japanese encephalitis.

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