The North Gyeongsang Province Institute of Health and Environment confirmed Friday that the Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito, the primary vector of Japanese encephalitis, has been detected for the first time this year.
The institute has been conducting twice-weekly mosquito collections at cattle sheds from April through October to monitor Japanese encephalitis trends, identifying the mosquito during routine species analysis.
The detection came somewhat earlier than last year's first confirmed sighting on July 1. Officials attributed the earlier appearance to rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns.
The Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito breeds in standing water such as rice paddies and livestock facilities and is most active at night. It is a key surveillance target because it can transmit the Japanese encephalitis virus to humans.
Japanese encephalitis typically causes mild symptoms, but in some cases it can progress to full encephalitis, bringing on high fever, seizures and paralysis, and may leave serious lasting complications.
"This detection is a signal that disease vector activity is picking up in earnest," an institute official said, urging the public to take precautions against mosquito bites when going out at night and calling on parents of children eligible for national immunization programs to ensure their children are vaccinated.
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