The Special Region of Yogyakarta has become an endemic area for the Culex mosquito, which transmits the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus.
Acknowledging this threat, the government has launched a JE vaccination program from Sep. to Oct. 2024, targeting children aged nine months to 15 years to protect the community from JE.
Professor Mei Neni Sitaresmi from the Department of Pediatrics at the UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM) stated that JE is caused by the Japanese Encephalitis virus, which is commonly found in pigs and white storks, which are often seen in rice fields.
The Culex mosquito bites these animals, and the virus is transmitted to humans through the mosquito’s bite.
Unlike the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which frequently bites during the day and early evening, the Culex mosquito bites at night.
“That is when the virus can enter the human body,” said Professor Sitaresmi on Wednesday (Oct. 2) at the UGM campus.
She explained that this virus cannot be transmitted between humans. However, when the virus enters the human body, it can cause symptoms similar to other infections, such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches, etc.
These symptoms will disappear quickly. However, in high-risk groups, the virus infection can lead to severe symptoms, such as persistent headaches that cause children to become irritable, vomiting, seizures, and loss of consciousness.
“If someone reaches the stage of these serious symptoms, the mortality rate of this disease is high, and there is no cure,” she said.
Professor Sitaresmi agreed that implementing the vaccination program, which will target children aged nine months to 15 years for the next two months, is important.
According to her, children in this age range do not have immune systems as robust as adults. This one-time dose vaccination will protect children against the JE virus infection.
Regarding public concerns about vaccine safety, Professor Sitaresmi reassured that the JE vaccine is safe, especially for children.
This is because vaccines fall under medicines with the highest safety standards.
“Before being administered to the public, vaccines undergo a series of long-term research and trials,” she added.
Professor Sitaresmi explained that every medical procedure has potential side effects.
She gave the example that even physical exercise can lead to fatigue. If the vaccine has any side effects, they are mild and self-resolving, so the public does not need to worry or hesitate to participate in the vaccination program.
Professor Sitaresmi invited the people of Yogyakarta to join the JE vaccination while it is still a government program, allowing them to receive it for free.
Vaccination alone is not the only preventive measure against JE. Healthy and clean living behaviors are also essential to prevent JE.
“Since mosquitoes transmit this disease, ensure the environment is free from mosquitoes,” advised Professor Sitaresmi.
By promoting mosquito breeding eradication programs (PSN), communities can free their surroundings from mosquitoes.
This will protect them from JE and other mosquito-borne diseases. In addition, proper nutrition should be maintained to enhance the immune system’s ability to fight infections naturally.
Author: Lazuardi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Image: Freepik
Post-editor: Afif