Japanese encephalitis cases rising in WV

There is an upward trend in the cases of Japanese encephalitis (JE) in Western Visayas, according to the Department of Health (DOH-6).

From January to May this year, DOH-6 recorded 256 suspected cases of acute meningitis encephalitis (AME) syndrome.

Of the number, 25 samples turned out positive for the JE virus while the remaining 163 are still pending for testing.

Almost half or 12 of the confirmed JE cases were from Iloilo province, 7 from Antique, 5 from Capiz, and 1 from Iloilo City.

Iloilo province posted the highest positivity rate at 20 percent, followed by Iloilo province with 15 percent and Capiz with 9.5 percent.

DOH-6 also logged four JE deaths and all were from Iloilo province – two were reported in Leganes and one each in Barotac Nuevo and Barotac Viejo.

In a press conference, DOH-6 Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) chief Dr. Jane R. Juanico-Esteva said that “with the number of confirmed JEV cases, it is yet too early to note that there is an outbreak of the disease in the region.”

However, she urged the public, especially parents with young children, to ensure the continuous practice of the 4S strategy, which has been effective against the dengue virus-carrying mosquitoes.

The 4S strategy involves searching and destroying mosquito breeding places; securing self-protection; seeking early consultation; and supporting fogging and spraying in hotspot places.

The JE virus is “transmitted to humans through the bite of Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes.”

These encephalitis-causing mosquitos are “active during the day and night” and are “common in rural areas with, among others, rice paddies, piggeries, irrigation ditches, ground pools.”