On July 17, 2017, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced one Japanese encephalitis case respectively confirmed in Nantou County and Hualien County. The case in Nantou County is a 48-year-old female who developed symptoms, including fever, headache and nausea, on July 2 and sought medical attention on July 5. Seven days later, she sought further medical attention and was later referred to a hospital and hospitalized. The case in Hualien County is a 57-year-old male who sought medical attention after developing fever during July 7 and 9. On July 12, when he experienced fever and slurred speech, he was sent to the hospital for treatment by his family and was hospitalized. Infection with Japanese encephalitis was confirmed in both cases on July 17. Currently, the two cases are still hospitalized and none of their contacts have developed suspected symptoms.
 

According to the epidemiological investigation, neither of the two cases had been vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis. During the incubation period, the case in Hualien County visited Taoyuan City and Miaoli County. On the other hand, the local health authority found there are pigeon and pig farms in proximity of the residence of the case in Nantou County, while there are rice paddy fields in proximity of the residence of the case in Hualien County. To prevent the further spread of the disease, the local health authorities have set up mosquito lamps around the residences of the confirmed cases and the places they frequent as an attempt to capture vector mosquitoes and reinforced health education among residents who live near the confirmed cases as well as urged routine vaccination of age-appropriate children and at-risk individuals.
 

Thus far this year, as of July 17, 2017, 16 Japanese encephalitis cases have been confirmed in Taiwan, including 3 cases in Kaohsiung City, 3 cases in Changhua County, 2 cases in Pingtung County, 2 cases in Taoyuan City, 2 cases in Chiayi County, 1 case in Tainan City, 1 case in New Taipei City, 1 case in Nantou County, and 1 case in Hualien County. During the same period in the recent 5 years, the number of Japanese encephalitis cases confirmed varies between 12 and 26. All cities and counties have reported sporadic cases and people of all age are at risk of contracting the disease. The majority of the confirmed cases are adults aged 40 and above. Hence, the public is advised to heighten vigilance for the disease.　

Most infected individuals experience no symptoms. A few cases experience headache, fever and acute aseptic meningitis.  Severe cases may experience acute encephalitis, psychological or neurological sequelae, and even death.　As vaccination is the most effective way to prevent Japanese encephalitis, 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. In addition, Taiwan CDC also urges parents and caretakers of age-appropriate children who have not received the vaccine to get vaccinated as soon as possible at their local health center or contracted healthcare facilities to prevent infection and severe complications.
 

The primary vector of Japanese encephalitis is a species of mosquito, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, which breeds in rice paddy fields, ponds, and irrigation canals. To prevent infection, avoid visiting vector-breeding sites such as pigpens at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. When needing to visit mosquito-prone places, people are advised to wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and apply officially approved mosquito repellent to exposed body parts to prevent mosquito bites and lower the risk of contracting Japanese encephalitis. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Care Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).