Epidemiological Trend of Japanese Encephalitis in Korea / 예방의학회지

ABSTRACT

The following facts have been identified as a result of epidemiogical trend and characteristic of Japanese Encephalitis in Korea for the last 20 years. First The Epidemiological period which was ten-year and three-year in the past has been disappeared following the start of immunization program at 1970. Second The incidence rate was much higher in the south and West areas than northeast area of Korea. City and province with the highest incidence rate was Chungcheong Nam Province and Cholla Buk Province. Third Regardless of scope of prevalence, the main season that 90 percent of total incidence occurs in one month from mid-September. Fourth The number of case by age was that 80 percent of total patients is children aged 3-15. Recently there is an increase in the number of patients who are elderly people. Fifth The study on the ecological conditions of mosquito including wintering and effectiveness of immunization for Japanese Encephalitis and duration on antibody should be done. Sixth There has been no case of Japanese Encephalitis during last three years since 1984 mainly due to disinfecting to eradicate mosquitos, immunization for vulnerable group of people aged 3-15, individual precaution not to be bitten by mosquito, improvement sanitation. While there has been no case of Japanese Encephalitis during last three years, there is possibility that Japanese Encephalitis becomes prevalent again anytime since its virus has been isolated continuously from the natural reservoirs.