KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 15

Five people have died from Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Chitwan District, out of 16 confirmed infections, according to the District Public Health Office.

The most recent death, reported on Sept 8, was a 42-year-old woman from Rapti Municipality.

Earlier fatalities include a 70-year-old man from Bharatpur-22, an 89-year-old man from Kalika-5, a 70-year-old woman from Rapti-12, and an 81-year-old woman from Bharatpur-12. All deaths occurred since mid-July.

Last fiscal year, three cases were recorded in the district, with one death.

Japanese Encephalitis, a mosquito-borne viral disease, has been detected in Bharatpur, Kalika, Rapti, Khairahani, and Madi municipalities.

According to the District Public Health Ofice, the virus spreads through bites of infected female Culex mosquitoes, which are most active at dawn and dusk, breed in rice paddies, and can carry the virus after feeding on pigs, ducks, and other animals.