Kathmandu, August 18
The death toll from Japanese encephalitis (JE) across the country has climbed to 16 so far this year. According to the Family Welfare Division of the Department of Health Services, the JE virus has so far infected 63 people across 50 local levels in 22 districts.
The Division confirmed 63 JE cases from among 878 cases of acute encephalitis syndrome. Nine new cases of JE were reported in the last five days alone. As per the report shared by the Division, 34 men and 29 women were infected with the JE virus, and 31 of them are undergoing treatment. Likewise, all 16 dead people, including nine women who died of JE infection, were not inoculated. The prevalence rate of JE is high among the senior citizens.
The officials said that Jhapa reported five deaths, two each from Sunsari and Saptari and one each from Morang, Ilam, Rautahat, Dhanusha, Parsa, Kavre and Dang districts. More cases were reported in the eastern region of the country, but the disease has gradually spread to the west late.
Officials stated that most of the JE-infected individuals were residing near paddy farms and piggery. The first JE case in Nepal was reported in 1978 and the infection has since become a pressing public health concern.
