DOH-7 keeping watch on Japanese encephalitis

Even if the feared Japanese encephalitis is rare in Central Visayas, the Department of Health-7’s surveillance team is keeping a close watch on this mosquito-transmitted viral infection that causes brain inflammation.

Rennan Cimafranca, head of DOH-7’s Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, assured that regional health officers are not lowering their guard on the disease.

“Unlike dengue, it (illness) could not be determined by mere consultation. It needs to be confirmed via laboratory testing available in a hospital setting, that is why most cases are already discovered once they are admitted at the hospital,” he said.

Cimafranca said there is no cause for alarm at the moment, at least here in Central Visayas.

He said only one patient has so far been diagnosed with Japanese encephalitis in the region. The patient hailed from Tuburan town in Cebu and the diagnosis was made during the first quarter of the year.

He also said the patient is now in the recovery stage.

Despite this, Cimafranca said they are continuously monitoring the patient even if the latter is already free from the viral infection, since the virus can leave a residual effect.

He also recalled one case reported in Consolacion town, Cebu last year.

He noted that this disease is more prevalent in rural areas, especially those with ricefields that can serve as possible breeding sites.

There were other suspected cases of Japanese encephalitis here, but after subsequent confirmatory tests turned to be negative.

As part of the preventive measures, the DOH-7 has been inspecting towns and conducted an environmental survey.

The agency also assesses family members and the neighborhood, and monitor them for symptoms.

The virus is passed from animals to humans through the bite of an infected Culex species mosquitoe, particularly Culex tritaeniorhynchus; pigs and wading birds are the main carriers of the Japanese encephalitis virus.

The species is common at households, just like the Aedes mosquito or the common carrier of the dengue virus, but the symptoms or effects of the Japanese encephalitis virus are worse than dengue.