Chitwan to Launch Japanese Encephalitis Vaccination Campaign

Chitwan. A vaccination campaign against 'Japanese Encephalitis' is set to begin in the district starting from Chaitra 25. The vaccine will be administered to 18,811 individuals in Madi Municipality and 4,204 individuals in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-19.

Public Health Office Chief Nirmal Ghimire stated that the campaign will run until Chaitra 30. He informed that the vaccine is being provided to those over 30 years of age who have not yet been vaccinated, as well as children under 15 who missed their previous doses.

'Japanese Encephalitis' caused one death and four infections in the district in 2024. Office Vector Control Inspector Ram KC reported that in 2025, there have been 16 infections and five deaths.

According to him, this is a vector-borne infectious disease transmitted by the bite of an infected female Culex mosquito. These mosquitoes prefer to stay outdoors, bite outside, and are most active during dawn and dusk. Vector Control Inspector KC explained that the disease spreads when these mosquitoes bite animals such as pigs and ducks. He also noted that these mosquitoes lay eggs and breed larvae in paddy fields.