KATHMANDU: A total of 31 people have died across Nepal this year due to Japanese Encephalitis (JE).

This is the highest number of deaths from JE recorded in the past 10 years.

In comparison, there were 25 deaths in 2024, seven in 2023, and only one in 2017. Between 2018 and 2022, no deaths were reported from Japanese Encephalitis in Nepal.

There have been 164 reported infections this year, compared to 86 last year. Some vaccinated individuals have also died, likely because the vaccine’s effectiveness weakens over time.

Currently, Japanese Encephalitis has spread to 110 municipalities across 42 districts.

Province-wise, four deaths occurred in Koshi Province, three in Madhes, five in Bagmati, five in Gandaki, 11 in Lumbini, one in Karnali, and two in Sudurpaschim — totaling 31 deaths nationwide.

Twenty-eight districts are considered at high risk for Japanese Encephalitis, which typically spreads between mid-July and early November.

Currently, 82 percent of children in Nepal have been vaccinated against the disease.

Nepal began routine Japanese Encephalitis vaccinations for children under one year of age in 1998.

The first case of the disease in Nepal was detected in Rupandehi in 1978, while it was first identified in Japan in 1861.

Dr. Gautam added that JE infections began to rise sharply in Nepal around 1990.

Since then, the government has been administering the JE vaccine annually to all children under five as part of the national immunization program.