On October 28, 2014, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced this year’s first confirmed case of Japanese encephalitis in a 61-year-old male in Yilan County, Taiwan. On October 9, he developed fever. On October 12, he sought medical attention at the emergency department of a hospital as his symptoms persisted. On the following day, he was hospitalized. He was later transferred the intensive care unit when he developed spasm and unconsciousness. After being reported to the health authority, Japanese encephalitis infection was confirmed in the case by Taiwan CDC on October 23. As of now, the case is still hospitalized for medical treatment. According to the epidemiological investigation, the case had not recently traveled overseas, there are no pig farms or rice paddy fields around the case’s residence, and none of the family members who reside in the same household with the case have developed any suspected symptoms. To prevent the further spread of the disease, the local health authorities has set up mosquito lamps around the residence of the confirmed cases as an attempt to capture vector mosquitoes, reinforced health education among residents who live near the confirmed cases as well as urged routine vaccination of age-appropriate children. On the other hand, Taiwan CDC also announced this year’s first death associated with Japanese encephalitis in a 42-year-old male. The case developed symptoms on June 10. After he was reported to the health authority, infection with Japanese encephalitis was confirmed in the case on July 1. The case died of cardiogenic shock on October 25.

Thus far this year, as of October 28, a cumulative total of 16 cases of Japanese encephalitis have been confirmed in Taiwan, including 4 in Changhua County, 3 in Pingtung County, 2 in Chiayi City, 2 in Tainan City, 2 in Kaohsiung City, 1 in Hsinchu County, 1 in Taichung City, and 1 in Yilan County. Taiwan CDC reminds the public that vector mosquitoes primarily breed in rice paddy fields, ponds and irrigation canals and they are most active during dawn and dusk. Pigs act as the amplifying host for Japanese encephalitis. Taiwan CDC advises the public to avoid mosquito bites by limiting visits to vector-prone areas such as pig and other animal farms, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. If, however, visits to vector-prone areas are unavoidable, please wear light-colored clothing, long sleeves and long pants and apply officially approved mosquito repellent to exposed parts of the body to prevent mosquito bites and lower the risk of infection.

As severe cases may experience psychological or neurological sequelae, and even death, Taiwan CDC advises the public to take all the necessary precautions to prevent infection. Parents are urged to make sure their children receive the vaccine timely. People who live near or work in close proximity to pig farms or rice paddy fields that increase their risk of Japanese encephalitis infection are recommended to visit one of the hospitals under the Ministry of Health and Welfare for self-paid vaccination.  For more information on Japanese encephalitis, please visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922, or 0800-001922.