KATHMANDU: The death toll from Japanese encephalitis (JE) has reached 26 in Nepal, according to the latest status report from the Family Welfare Division under the Department of Health Services. The fatalities have been recorded across 16 districts.
Among those who died, 12 were men and 14 were women. Data indicates that 77 percent of the deceased were individuals aged 50 and above.
A concerning finding in the report is that 100 percent of the patients who died had not received the Japanese encephalitis vaccine. The case fatality rate for the disease currently stands at 21 percent.
Jhapa district recorded the highest number of deaths with 6, followed by two deaths each in Sunsari, Saptari, Parsa, Kailali, and Arghakhanchi.
One death each was reported in Morang, Ilam, Rautahat, Dhanusha, Kavre, Dang, Tanahun, Nawalparasi (West), Kanchanpur, and Rolpa. The most recent casualties include one death each in Rolpa and Tanahun.
To date, 121 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported across 84 local units in 36 districts across all 7 provinces. Currently, 56 patients are undergoing treatment.
The infection, which began spreading from eastern Nepal, has been predominantly observed in the Terai districts. Individuals living near paddy fields and pig farms who have not been vaccinated are at the highest risk of contracting the disease.
