Beware of Small Red House Mosquito: South Korea Ramps Up Prevention Efforts

Nationwide Japanese Encephalitis Warning Issued./Daegu City

Mosquito season has returned. Those vulnerable to mosquitoes should dress in light-colored long clothing and use repellents.

Extra caution is needed for the small red house mosquito that transmits the scary Japanese encephalitis. These mosquitoes primarily feed on human blood at night.

Following the issuance of a nationwide Japanese encephalitis warning on the 30th of last month, the Daegu City health authorities have urged the public to adhere to guidelines for preventing mosquito bites.

This year’s Japanese encephalitis warning was issued seven days later than last. Lower average temperatures in the southern regions in March delayed mosquito activity.

The small red house mosquito is a small, dark female that lives in paddies, animal barns, and puddles. It appears from the end of March and peaks between August and September.

While infection with the Japanese encephalitis virus may cause mild symptoms such as fever and headaches, it can rarely progress to encephalitis, presenting symptoms such as high fever, seizures, confusion, convulsions, paralysis, and about 20-30% of these cases can result in death.

Especially in the case of encephalitis, even after recovery, 30-50% of patients can experience various neurological complications depending on the damaged area, so caution is necessary.

Meanwhile, Daegu City plans to enhance the efficiency of its prevention measures through preemptive prevention and disinfection, as well as the inauguration of an infection prevention network through the visualization of vulnerable areas using data analysis.

Jung Ui Kwan, Director of Daegu City’s Health and Welfare Department, urged, “During the mosquito activity period, adhere to the guidelines for preventing mosquito bites, and as there is an effective preventive vaccine, children who are targets for mandatory national vaccination should complete their vaccinations according to the standard vaccination schedule.”

He added, “Daegu City will also proactively respond to prevent the local spread of infectious diseases by implementing preemptive prevention measures in vulnerable areas using big data.”