Early Warning for Japanese Encephalitis

A Japanese encephalitis warning was issued about ten days earlier than usual due to the abnormally warm weather.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare issued the warning on May 13 announcing that the National Health Institute, on May 10, discovered the Culex Tritaniorhynchus, a mosquito that carries Japanese encephalitis. The disease-carrying insect was found in the coastal area of South Cholla Province for the first time this year.
A ministry official advised, 'Children between the ages of 3 to 15 should immediately be inoculated and avoid mosquito bites. In addition, sterilizing mosquitoes' habitats, such as barns, livestock areas, and stagnate pools is needed.'
Japanese encephalitis is transmitted through mosquitoes from infected pigs, cows or horses.
This disease has a 7-to-15-day latency period and victims can suffer paralysis or fall into a coma following symptons such as headaches, diarrhea, and fever.
On average 30 percent of the infected eventually die, and a further 20 to 30 percent suffer permanent side effects such as memory loss or motor disfunctions.
There had been no incidents of Japanese encephalitis during a three-year period starting in 1994; however, three adults were infected last year.
Jooan Kang : jooan@joongang.co.kr