Key Takeways:

• 131 Japanese encephalitis cases confirmed nationwide this year
• Twenty-eight deaths reported from the mosquito-borne disease
• About 87 percent of infected patients were unvaccinated
• Vaccination campaign underway in affected areas of Jhapa and Kailali

KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 4 Japanese encephalitis (JE) has been confirmed in 131 people in Nepal so far this year, with 28 deaths reported, according to the Family Welfare Division under the Ministry of Health and Population. The latest division report shows that 1,372 cases of acute encephalitis syndrome have been recorded nationwide in 2026, with JE confirmed in 131 cases. About 87 percent of those infected were unvaccinated. The infections have been reported across 90 local levels in 37 districts. Most of those infected live near paddy fields or pig farms and are involved in agriculture, according to the report. The government is conducting a JE vaccination campaign in affected areas, including all local levels of Jhapa and Ghodaghodi Municipality, Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City and Lamkichuha Municipality of Kailali. The campaign targets people aged 30 and above and health workers. So far, 111,790 people in Kailali and 346,777 in Jhapa have received the vaccine. Under Nepal's routine immunisation programme, children are provided a single dose of JE vaccine at 12 months of age. The vaccine can also be administered up to five years of age if the initial dose is missed. Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral disease that can cause inflammation of the brain and lead to severe complications or death in some cases. Doctors have advised people to get vaccinated and take precautions against mosquito bites, including using mosquito nets and repellents, to reduce the risk of infection.