JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS – PHILIPPINES (02): (WESTERN VISAYAS)
A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Wed 21 Jun 2023
Source: Panay News [edited]
https://www.panaynews.net/japanese-encephalitis-infects-25-western-visayans-claims-4-lives/
Western Visayas logged 25 confirmed cases of mosquito-borne disease
Japanese encephalitis with 4 deaths from 1 Jan to 27 May 27 this year
[2023].
Of the 25, 12 came from Iloilo province, 7 from Antique, 5 from Capiz,
and one from Iloilo City, according to Department of Health (DOH)
Region 6 director Dr Adriano Suba-an.
The reported fatalities were all from Iloilo province, particularly
from the towns of Leganes, Lemery, Barotac Nuevo, and Barotac Viejo.
DOH-6 data also showed that the 25 confirmed cases were part of the
256 suspected cases of acute meningitis encephalitis syndrome recorded
since January 2023.
As of this writing, the DOH-6 was still waiting for the laboratory
test results of the remaining 163 suspected cases.
Data further showed that 156 or 61 percent of the suspected cases are
males aged one to 77, with a median age of 4.
The province of Capiz posted the highest positivity rate at 20 percent
followed by Iloilo province at 15 percent and Antique at 9.5 percent.
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is transmitted through the bite of
an infected mosquito (Culex tritaeniorhynchus), which belong to the
family species that carries the dengue virus [Incorrect. Aedes_
species, mainly _Aedes aegypti are the vectors of the dengue viruses.
– Mod.TY].
Most infected individuals experience mild symptoms. In severe cases,
the symptoms include fever, headache, and vomiting, followed by
disorientation, seizures, and coma.
Logistical and technical support
The DOH-6 has so far distributed logistics for vector control to all
provinces and highly urbanized cities in the region.
These include 550 rolls of long-lasting insecticide-treated screens;
4480 long-lasting insecticide-treated nets; 1480 sachets of indoor
residual spray; 22 222 sachets of larvicides; and 259 insecticide
bottles.
DOH-6 also provided technical assistance on vector control and
surveillance, enhanced the acute meningitis encephalitis syndrome
surveillance, and continued to strengthen the campaign of the 4S
strategy.
The 4S strategy stands for search and destroy, self-protective
measure, seek early consultation, and say yes to indoor residual
spraying.
Suba-an urges everyone, especially parents with young children, to
ensure the continuous practice of this strategy which has been
effective against the dengue-carrying mosquitoes and Japan
encephalitis-carrying mosquitoes.
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