First Japanese Encephalitis Vector Mosquito Found in Suwon This Year

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jeon Si-eon] A small red house mosquito, a vector for Japanese encephalitis, has been found for the first time this year in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.

The Suwon City Health Center confirmed the small red house mosquito in the first week of August (August 2-8) through mosquito collection from 10 locations in the city as part of the 'Infectious Disease Vector Mosquito Surveillance Project.' This is about one week later than the average time in the fifth week of July.

Japanese encephalitis virus was not detected in the collected mosquitoes, confirming there is no risk of infectious disease transmission. The small red house mosquito is distributed nationwide and appears most frequently in August and September. In Suwon, a small number of individual mosquitoes are confirmed every year.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued a nationwide Japanese encephalitis alert on June 18. Most infections present mild symptoms, but in rare cases when the disease progresses to encephalitis, serious symptoms such as high fever, convulsions, and paralysis may occur, requiring medical consultation if similar symptoms appear.

A health center official urged the public to follow preventive measures including vaccination, use of insect repellent, and wearing long clothing, stating that continuous mosquito surveillance and control will prevent infection.