The Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito, a vector of Japanese encephalitis. [Suwon City]
The Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito, a vector of Japanese encephalitis. [Suwon City]

The Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito, a known vector of Japanese encephalitis, has been detected in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, for the first time this year.

The Suwon city health center said the mosquito was identified during the first week of this month among specimens collected at 10 sites across the city as part of a vector-borne disease surveillance project. The detection came about a week later than in an average year.

The health center said no Japanese encephalitis virus was found in the collected mosquitoes, meaning there is no immediate risk of transmission.

The Culex tritaeniorhynchus is found throughout the country and is most prevalent from August through September. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued a nationwide Japanese encephalitis alert on June 18.

"We urge residents to get vaccinated and to follow preventive measures during outdoor activities, such as using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved clothing," a health center official said.


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