Nationwide death toll from JE in 2025 reaches 31
Summary
The death toll from Japanese encephalitis in Nepal has reached 31 in 2025, the highest in a decade, with increased infection rates spreading across 42 districts.
Key Points
- The nationwide death toll from Japanese encephalitis (JE) in 2025 has reached 31, the highest in 10 years.
- There have been 164 JE infections recorded in 2025 compared to 86 cases in 2024.
- The infection has spread to 110 local levels across 42 districts in Nepal, with Lumbini province reporting the highest deaths (11).
- Vaccination against JE is available and 82 percent of children in Nepal have been vaccinated, but vaccine effectiveness decreases over time.
