Kathmandu, August 28
The Department of Health Services has reported a rise in Japanese encephalitis cases in the country.
So far, 103 cases have been confirmed, with 20 fatalities, said Dr Abhiyan Gautam, Chief of the Child Health and Immunization Section. He noted that most infections have been recorded among unvaccinated individuals.
The deaths have occurred in Jhapa, Morang, Tehrathum, Bara, Sindhuli, Arghakhanchi, Pyuthan, Dang, Bardiya, Kailali, Rautahat, Nawalparasi East, Chitwan, and Nawalparasi West.
Health workers said Japanese encephalitis is transmitted through the bite of Culex mosquitoes and can cause severe brain infections, which may lead to death in critical cases.
