Six people die from Japanese encephalitis in Jhapa

Six people have died from Japanese encephalitis (JE) in Jhapa district in eastern Nepal as cases rise during the monsoon season, health officials say.

The latest death was that of a 64-year-old woman from Mechinagar Municipality-8, who died last week after contracting the mosquito-borne viral disease, according to the District Health Office.

With her death, the number of people who have died from Japanese encephalitis in Jhapa has reached six. Four women and two men have died from the infection so far.

The total number of confirmed Japanese encephalitis cases in the district has risen to 11, according to Bishwanath Shrestha, a public health inspector at the District Health Office.

Health authorities have increased testing for Japanese encephalitis across different parts of the district and have continued to deploy health workers to monitor the situation.

Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral infection that can cause inflammation of the brain and, in severe cases, death. Health authorities generally advise people in affected areas to take measures to avoid mosquito bites and seek medical attention if symptoms develop.

Officials say monitoring and testing efforts are continuing as the monsoon season progresses.