13-year-old boy infected with rare Japanese encephalitis in Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: On Sunday, Kozhikode confirmed one case of Japanese encephalitis, a virus spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes. A 13-year-old from the 7th ward in Kodiyathur panchayat was diagnosed with Japanese encephalitis. The virus that is commonly seen among animals is rarely transmitted to humans.

The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes of the Culex species. Fever, headache and lethargy are the symptoms associated with the virus.

As per reports, no other person in the area has been affected by the virus. However, the health department Is now taking names of people who are currently affected by fever in the region. Asha workers under the leadership of junior health inspectors have already started work to destroy sources where mosquitoes are largely seen. A cleanliness drive is also taking place in the area.