By Robert Herriman  @infectiousdiseasenews

In a follow-up on the Japanese encephalitis situation in Taiwan this year, the Disease Control Agency reported yesterday (computer translated) of three additional cases, reminding the public in high-risk areas like homes near pigs and paddy fields to strengthen  their anti-mosquito prevention and to vaccinate themselves and their children.

Image by prometeus_86 from Pixabay

According to the Department of Disease Control, the three new cases of Japanese encephalitis are a woman in her 50s in Hukou Township, Hsinchu County, a man in his 50s in the west of Chiayi City and a women in her 30s in Linbian Township, Pingtung County.

18 infections you can get from mosquitoes

All three are currently hospitalized.

This brings the total Japanese encephalitis cases in Taiwan to 10, including one death. This includes 4 cases in Kaohsiung City (including 1 death), 2 cases in Chiayi City and Pingtung County, 1 in Chiayi County and 1 in Hsinchu County.

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Domestic Japanese encephalitis vector mosquitoes are mainly three-spotted mosquitoes, ring-shaped mosquitoes and white-headed mosquitoes. Most people have no obvious symptoms after infection with Japanese encephalitis. A few may have headache, fever or aseptic meningitis. Change of consciousness, inability to distinguish between people and time, general weakness, damage to brain and nerve function, convulsions, etc., even coma or death.

The most effective way to prevent Japanese encephalitis is to get vaccinated.