Uljin County Reports Japanese Encephalitis Outbreak... All-out Efforts for Quarantine Activities

Beware of Culex tritaeniorhynchus Mosquitoes Spreading Japanese Encephalitis

Uljin County in North Gyeongsang Province is making every effort to promote prevention and conduct quarantine activities as the activity of Culex tritaeniorhynchus, the mosquito that transmits Japanese encephalitis, has become more active and the first case of Japanese encephalitis has been reported in the area.

Uljin County, All-Out Quarantine Activities in Response to Japanese Encephalitis Outbreak.

According to Uljin County, the Japanese encephalitis patient is a man in his 50s residing in the area. He began experiencing flu-like symptoms on September 10 and developed neurological symptoms, leading him to visit a medical facility on September 12. He tested positive for Japanese encephalitis and is currently undergoing treatment.

The mosquitoes that transmit Japanese encephalitis are most active in September and October, with 80% of cases occurring during this period, and the disease primarily affects people aged 50 and older.

Most cases of Japanese encephalitis are asymptomatic, but symptoms such as lethargy and fever may appear 5 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. In rare cases, the infection progresses to encephalitis, causing high fever, seizures, neck stiffness, convulsions, and paralysis, with a mortality rate of 20 to 30%.

Uljin County has strengthened fogging and spraying disinfection measures, installed mosquito traps for surveillance, and will send collected mosquitoes to the North Gyeongsang Institute of Health and Environment for infection testing.

Additionally, the county is making every effort to prevent further cases by putting up banners to inform residents about high-risk areas for Japanese encephalitis and providing direct education to the community.

Preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites include: ▲ wearing light-colored long clothing during unavoidable nighttime outings ▲ using repellents and arm sleeves ▲ thoroughly practicing personal preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites ▲ maintaining screens and using mosquito nets to prevent mosquito entry into buildings and tents ▲ and properly using insecticides indoors.

County Governor Son Byeongbok emphasized, "The best way to prevent mosquito-borne infectious diseases is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, so I urge everyone to strictly follow the prevention guidelines."