KATHMANDU, AUGUST 13 Five of the nine people confirmed to have Japanese encephalitis (JE) in Jhapa over the past four months have died, raising concern as health officials urge residents to take precautions against the mosquito-borne disease. The deceased include three men and two women, according to the Health Office in Jhapa. The nine infections have been reported in Mechinagar (three), Haldibari (one), Bahradashi (one), Kachankawal (one), Birtamod (two) and Arjundhara (one). Bishwanath Shrestha, a public health inspector at the Health Office, said most of those infected were above 50 years of age. Japanese encephalitis is a viral disease transmitted to humans through the bites of Culex mosquitoes. The virus affects the brain after infection. Pigs and ducks are considered the main sources of the virus. People who rear pigs and those living near rice fields and waterlogged areas are considered particularly vulnerable if they do not take adequate precautions. Raj Kumar Pokharel, vaccination officer at the Health Office, urged residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites and get vaccinated through the government's regular vaccination programmes.