Nationwide Rise in Seasonal and Vector-Borne Diseases Amidst Rainfall
Summary
Rainfall and the monsoon have fueled a nationwide rise in seasonal and vector-borne diseases, including Japanese encephalitis, dengue, cholera, diarrhea and scrub typhus. Health authorities have intensified vaccination, surveillance and emergency preparedness as deaths from JE, dengue and snakebite continue to mount.
Key Points
- Japanese encephalitis has spread to 89 municipalities in 36 districts, causing 28 deaths so far, while 129 cases have been confirmed from 1,299 Acute Encephalitis Syndrome patients.
- Dengue has killed 3 people and infected 5,238 nationwide by September 15, 2026, prompting health officials to urge people not to ignore fever and other warning signs.
- Snakebites have killed 97 people since Baisakh, with 1,431 reported bites, according to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division.
- The Health Ministry has boosted preparedness, vaccination, water-quality surveillance and emergency referral systems amid flood and landslide risks.
