The Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention is urging the public to take precautionary measures, including vaccination, against Japanese encephalitis, a viral illness spread by mosquitoes.

The warning comes three weeks earlier than last year's advisory.

The disease control center said it issued the warning after recently learning that the mosquitoes found to carry the disease made up more than half the mosquitoes found in North Jeolla Province.

The center said in order to prevent infection from the virus, people should avoid going out in the evenings, and should wear long-sleeved clothing when they do go out. The center also strongly urged children under 15 years of age to get vaccinated.