Girl, 14, dies of Japanese encephalitis in Pangasinan

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan, Philippines — A 14-year-old girl died of Japanese encephalitis, a rare mosquito-borne disease, in this  province on Saturday.

Jasmine Prestoza, a resident of Barangay San Vicente here, was confined for four days at the Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City for suspected dengue after she experienced headache, fever and muscle pain, among other symptoms, provincial health officer Anna Ma. Teresa de Guzman told The STAR yesterday.

The provincial health office said it coordinated with health authorities in Tarlac, where the girl studied, to determine if there are other students afflicted with Japanese encephalitis.

De Guzman said Prestoza is the first fatality due to Japanese encephalitis in Pangasinan.