I was alarmed last Monday night when I heard a news about viral disease carried by mosquitoes. It was my first time to hear it and I had the hard time to spell that deadly disease. Japanese encephalitis has killed nine in the entire country from January 1 to August 26 this year. The data were given by Department of Health. Culex mosquitoes are responsible with this fatalities. For those like me who are not familiar with this, JE is present in the country since 1950s.
The news became a hot topic especially that rainy season is transpiring. For those who are worried, the vaccine for JE is available but the DOH does not recommend anyone to get a shot during this period. The vaccination should be done before rainy season according to DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag in an interview on News To Go. He added that we should do precautionary measures to affect us.
According to the Health Department, JE symptoms are apparent six to eight days after mosquito bite. A person could have tiredness, headache, fever, chills, nausea and, vomiting. If this untreated, this would eventually put the person of having brain damage, paralysis, and even death.
Indeed, JE is a threat these rainy days. We should practice cleanliness and self- protection. We need should keep our body fit; clean and clear the areas that mosquitoes stay and breed; and we should pray that this disease will not be epidemic. Keep safe everyone.
Sources:
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2017/09/06/pampanga-posts-highest-japanese-encephalitis-deaths-central-luzon
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/624755/doh-discourages-taking-japanese-encephalitis-vaccine-during-rainy-season/story/
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