Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

The Department of Health's Center for Disease Control (CDC/Taiwan) confirmed the first case of Japanese encephalitis this year. The patient is a 53 year old women living in Pingtung County. The patient's symptoms emerged on May 8, with fever, lower limb paralysis and difficulty in movement. She was treated twice before transferring for hospitalization in the medical center. She had since stabilized and is now being treated in general patient rooms. According to the Department of Health, this patient had not left the country before. A list of people who had come in contact with the woman had been obtained, none of whom are experiencing any discomforting symptoms right now. They will continue to be monitored. According to the department’s case data confirmed in the same period, there is no significant difference in terms of symptoms.

According to annual epidemiology data, incidents of Japanese encephalitis in Taiwan are concentrated within May to October, peaking between June and July. Japanese encephalitis is mainly proliferated by two carrier mosquitoes: Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Culex annulus. They like to live in water farms, irrigation ditches, ponds, water puddles on grass fields, and large containers. Blood extraction peaks between dusk and dawn. Pigs are the primary reservoir animals for Japanese encephalitis. Incubation period for Japanese encephalitis is 5 to 15 days, mostly asymptomatic. A few mild cases may experience headache, fever, or aseptic meningitis. Severe cases may experience headaches, high fever, fainting, and spasms. Even more severe cases may result in psychological or nerve-related sequela or death.

Vaccination is the most effect method of preventing Japanese encephalitis. To account for epidemic periods, annual vaccination is concentrated between March to May, which can be extended to September. 15-month-old infants should receive two vaccinations within two weeks, and a third vaccination the following year. Grade one elementary school children will receive another vaccination. Children of appropriate age who have not received vaccination for Japanese encephalitis should be brought by their parents quickly to complete the vaccination in a clinic or an approved medical agency. Adults who have been infected during work or daily life can proceed to one of 23 hospitals established by the Department of Health or their braches, the Yunlin branch hospital in NTU, or the Yang-Ming University Hospital for self-paid vaccination.

The CDC/Taiwan states that, currently, Taiwan is moving into epidemic season for Japanese encephalitis, during the summer, when carrier mosquitoes are most likely to proliferate. People should avoid any activity at or near pig pens, living quarters for other animals, or breeding grounds for carrier mosquitoes during dusk to dawn and other times when carrier mosquitoes may be active. If this cannot be avoided, please wear long pants and long sleeve shirts and apply Department of Health-approved anti-mosquito medical cream to all body parts exposed to open air. Please take all anti-mosquito measures and avoid mosquito bites in order to reduce risk of infection.

For newest epidemic information and other information related to Japanese encephalitis, interested persons can dial the public epidemic report and inquiry hotline (1922) or refer to the Center for Disease Control's global information website: http://www.cdc.gov.tw.

Source:Department of Health,TAIWAN,ROC