KATHMANDU: Japanese encephalitis (JE) has been confirmed in 131 people across Nepal so far this year, with health authorities reporting 28 deaths from the infection.
According to the latest report from the Family Welfare Division under the Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal has recorded 1,372 cases of acute encephalitis syndrome in 2026, of which 131 have been confirmed as Japanese encephalitis.
The Division reported that 28 people have died from JE so far. It said 87 percent of those infected had not been vaccinated against the disease.
JE cases have been reported across 90 local levels in 37 districts. According to the report, most of those infected live near paddy fields or pig farms and are involved in agricultural activities.
The government is continuing its JE vaccination campaign in affected areas. The campaign is currently underway across all local levels of Jhapa district, as well as in Ghodaghodi Municipality, Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City and Lamkichuha Municipality of Kailali district. The campaign is targeting people aged 30 and above, along with health workers. So far, 111,790 people in Kailali and 346,777 people in Jhapa have received the JE vaccine.
Under the routine immunization programme, the government provides a single dose of the JE vaccine to children at 12 months of age. Children who miss the scheduled dose can receive the vaccine up to the age of five.
Doctors have advised people to take precautions against mosquito bites in addition to getting vaccinated to reduce the risk of Japanese encephalitis.
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