Kathmandu [Nepal], August 23 – The government has urged people to remain alert as cases and deaths from Japanese encephalitis (JE), a mosquito-borne viral disease continue to rise across the country.
The Family Welfare Division under the Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene said Sunday that 80 people have tested positive for JE across 59 local levels in 25 districts this year. At least 21 people have died from the infection.
Jhapa has reported the highest number of infections with 10 cases followed by Kailali and Morang with seven each. Six cases have been recorded in both Saptari and Kanchanpur while Chitwan, Sunsari and Nawalparasi East have reported five each.
Jhapa has also recorded the highest number of deaths with six of its 10 confirmed patients dying from the disease.
The division said 87% of reported JE cases have been detected in districts in the southern plains particularly among people living near paddy fields and pig-farming areas.
JE is mainly transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Culex mosquitoes which can acquire the virus after feeding on infected animals such as pigs and ducks.
Health authorities have advised people to seek immediate medical care if they develop high fever, severe headache, vomiting, seizures, unconsciousness or changes in consciousness.
Officials have urged residents to prevent mosquito bites by using window and door screens, wearing clothes that cover the body, sleeping under mosquito nets, removing stagnant water and using mosquito repellents.
They also emphasised JE vaccination particularly for children at 12 months of age.
