Cases of Japanese encephalitis are on the rise and could peak this month or next, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday, urging the public to avoid mosquito-infested areas.
The centers announced the year’s first indigenous Japanese encephalitis cases earlier this week: a 52-year-old man in Greater Taichung and a 46-year-old man in Greater Tainan.
The two were confirmed to be infected with the disease on June 4 and June 13 respectively. The centers said both were recovering after treatment.
Japanese encephalitis usually becomes prevalent between May and October, and peaks in June and July each year. Among the 16 confirmed cases last year, 11 were identified in June, while 15 of the 32 cases in 2012 were also identified in June of that year.
The centers urged precautions against the mosquito-borne disease, such as setting up mosquito lamps around residences and getting vaccinated.
To prevent infection, people should avoid visiting mosquito breeding sites, such as pig farms, rice fields and pigeon farms, at dawn and dusk, when the insects are most active, it said.
The majority of Japanese encephalitis infections have no initial symptoms, but some cases can cause headache, fever, malaise and cognitive disorders as well as mental symptoms.
The centers yesterday also reported the 17th case of measles in the nation this year and urged the public to take precautions to avoid the disease.
The centers said that travelers to high-risk areas, including China, Vietnam and Philippines, should mind personal hygiene after the infection of a 28-year-old Taiwanese man who returned from Hong Kong on June 3.
None of the 131 people who have been in contact with the man have developed measles symptoms, the centers said, adding that it will continue monitoring those individuals through July 6.
The CDC called for alert amid higher instance of measles infections in neighboring countries than in previous years.
Travelers to affected countries are advised to pay attention to personal hygiene and see a doctor if they develop symptoms such as fever, nasal inflammation or rashes, the centers said.
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