The DPHO said the vaccination drive will conclude on July 7. The DPHO had earlier decided to wrap up the campaign by June 30.[break]
Japanese encephalitis is a disease caused by the mosquito borne Japanese encephalitis virus. Transmission of this virus to humans may cause severe symptoms like fever, headache and malaise, which may last up to a week. Mortality of this disease is much higher among children.
“Very few people have participated in the campaign,” chief of DPHO, Kathmandu Krishna Prasad Chand said adding, “If the campaign is not extended, many people will be left out.”
The DPHO has targeted to administer encephalitis vaccines to 900,000 people. The DPHO acknowledged that the campaign has also failed to cover the targeted population in the VDCs in the Kathmandu Valley and Kirtipur municipality. The first phase of the campaign was conducted on June 20 in 57 VDCs and in the Kirtipur municipality.
The DPHO has also asked the Nepal Army (NA), Nepal Police and Armed Police Force (APF) to administer encephalitis vaccines to their staff. “We have also planned to send the vaccinators in the prisons of Kathmandu,” he said.
The DPHO said all the people of the Kathmandu are at risk of contracting Japanese encephalitis.
The DPHO said all the children between 12 to 23 months will get JE vaccine in their regular program after the campaign.
Related story
Women who drive
