Japanese encephalitis mosquito alert spreads to Gangwon Province

The small brown house mosquito, which transmits Japanese encephalitis, has been detected in Gangwon Province for the first time this year.

According to the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Institute of Health and Environment on Tuesday, five of the mosquitoes — the primary vector of Japanese encephalitis — were found among specimens collected in the Gangneung area during the fourth week of June.

Officials said the timing of this year's first detection is similar to that of last year.

Routine Japanese encephalitis surveillance is conducted in cooperation with the KDCA, with mosquitoes collected twice a week at three sites across the province to monitor population trends and check for pathogen infection.

Nationwide, the first vector mosquito of the year was detected in Jeju on March 20, prompting health authorities to issue a Japanese encephalitis "Caution" advisory. The alert level was raised one step to "Warning" on June 17, after the Japanese encephalitis virus gene was detected in mosquitoes collected in Daegu.

Seven Japanese encephalitis cases were reported across the country last year, one of them in Gangwon Province.

No cases have been reported in the province this year, but officials warned against complacency as rising temperatures are driving a sharp increase in mosquito populations.

Researchers urged the public to minimize exposed skin during outdoor activities and to strictly follow mosquito prevention and control guidelines at home.