Japanese encephalitis toll rises to 271

At least 271 people have died of Japanese encephalitis in various Terai districts in the last few weeks.

Health Ministry officials have confirmed that 271 Japanese encephalitis deaths have been reported until Tuesday.

Associated Press quoting Hari Nath Acharya, spokesman at the ministry, said the disease, which has taken a heavy toll in Terai districts like Kailali, Banke, Bardiya, Rupandehi, Rautahat and Sarlahi, is on the wane with the end of monsoon. He added that the surge in the death toll is mainly due to delay in reaching health officials.

Until last week, officials counted a total of 204 deaths caused by Japanese encephalitis, which is caused by mosquito bite.

''We have already lost 64 patients this year. But the number has gone down in the past few days. We are now getting only about five new patients every day,'' Arjun Gautam, an official at Bheri Zonal Hospital in Nepalgunj, told AP.

Over 1,665 people were affected by Japenese Encephalitis this year, according to the Health Ministry. Although most deaths occured due to lack of medicines and health workers, the government sent medical teams, along with vaccines and mosquito nets, to some affected areas only recently. . nepalnews.com mk Sept 20 05

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