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BIRDS ARE NOT THE CAUSE OF JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS
There has been concern amongst certain
members of the public that the present case of a man living in
Palm Springs, Yuen Long developing Japanese encephalitis, may
have been due to the spread of the disease from birds.
Although the Japanese encephalitis virus
can be found in birds, the main route of infection is via pigs
where the virus reproduces rapidly before entering the mosquito
population. If the number of mosquitoes suddenly increase, such
as because of the availability of stagnant water after heavy
rain where the mosquito can breed, then the risk of the infected
mosquito biting and infecting people then increases as well.
WWF Hong Kong has been undertaking mosquitoes
preventing measures in Mai Po Nature Reserve, such as removing
accumulated water and introducing mosquito-eating fish and shrimps
into the fishponds. These are all natural ways to prevent mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes spread various diseases, including
Dengue Fever and Japanese Encephalitis. Hence, the following
prevention measures should always be implemented:
- While outdoors, wear long-sleeved clothing
to cover arms, legs, and particularly ankles.
- Apply insect repellent to exposed skin.
Choose one containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-3-benzamide). Concentration
of 'DEET' should not exceed 35% for adult and 10% for children.
Repeated application may be required.
- Avoid staying in hassocks or bushes.
The route of infection from pig to human
is well known and further details can be found on the following
websites:
a) The World Health Organisation (http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/ diseases/encephalitis/en/)
b) The Centre for Health Protection
(CHP) of the Department of Health (http://www.chp.gov.hk)
and the Department of Health's website on travel health (http://www.info.gov.hk/trhealth),
and
c) The Directors of Health Promotion and
Education (http://www.astdhpphe.org/infect/jpenceph.html)
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Related
Document |
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Factsheet on
Japanese Encephalitis |
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View |
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For further information, please contact
Ms. Judy Wan, Mai Po Reserve Officer, at 2471 6306 or Dr. Lew
Young, Mai Po Reserve Manager, at 96276520.
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