THE Department of Health (DOH) Central Luzon, in partnership with the City of San Fernando, launched the regional mass immunization against Japanese Encephalitis (JE) with a kick-off Tuesday, March 5, at the Colegio de Sebastian covered court here.

This March, the health department will be in full operation to vaccinate all children 9-59 months of age.

Japanese Encephalitis is a disease spread through mosquito bites and its symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, confusion and difficulty of moving, could lead to swelling of the brain and coma and eventually death.

The DOH said that there is no specific antiviral treatment for Japanese encephalitis. Vaccination is the single most important control measure.

The department is advising the public to get in touch with their local public health officers for the schedule of vaccinations.