CHITWAN, Oct 8: The death toll from Japanese Encephalitis in Chitwan district has reached six since the beginning of the Nepali month of Shrawan (mid-July). According to the District Public Health Office, two fatalities were reported in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, two in Rapti Municipality, one in Khairahani Municipality, and one in Kalika Municipality.
The most recent victim was a woman from Khairahani Municipality-4, said Vector Control Officer Ram KC So far, 17 people have been infected with the disease — 10 women and seven men. Among them, three are below 15 years of age, five are between 15 and 60, and nine are above 60.
KC added that 15 of the infected individuals were unvaccinated, while vaccination details of two remain unclear. Bharatpur alone has recorded seven cases of infection. Of the deceased, one was 89 years old, another 81, two were 70, one was 39, and one was 42.
Japanese Encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito. These mosquitoes prefer to stay outdoors and are most active during dawn and dusk. The virus can spread to humans after mosquitoes bite infected pigs, ducks, or other animals.
Chief of District Health Office, Chitwan, Dinesh Rupakheti said that the mosquitoes often lay eggs and breed in paddy fields, increasing the risk of transmission during the rice-growing season.