Nepal Infectious Disease Outbreaks 2026

Nepal has reported 80 laboratory-confirmed Japanese encephalitis cases across 59 local units in 25 districts, with 21 deaths so far. Health officials said 86% of confirmed patients and all deaths were among unvaccinated people, and cases are now confirmed in both Terai/Inner Madhesh and several hill districts.

Health officials in Jhapa are preparing an emergency Japanese encephalitis vaccination drive for adults over 30 after six of 10 patients in the district died. The outbreak has spread across all seven provinces, with at least 21 deaths and more than 60 infections nationwide.

Nepal’s Japanese encephalitis outbreak has killed at least 21 people and infected 59 over six weeks, with severe cases mostly among unvaccinated adults. Officials are weighing an expansion of the free vaccination programme beyond children, but funding remains a hurdle.

Health officials reported that five of nine confirmed Japanese encephalitis patients in Jhapa district had died over the past four months. Cases were recorded across Mechinagar, Haldibari, Bahradashi, Kachankawal, Birtamod and Arjundhara, with older adults near rice fields and waterlogged areas highlighted as most vulnerable.

Five people died of Japanese encephalitis in Jhapa district over four months, among nine confirmed infections there. Health officials urged residents to avoid mosquito bites and get vaccinated through the government campaign.

Government health facilities across Nepal reported shortages of essential vaccines, medicines, and supplements, including Japanese encephalitis vaccines, because of prolonged procurement and supply failures. The shortages raised concerns about preventable deaths and weakened outbreak response efforts.

Nepal reported 9 Japanese encephalitis deaths and 46 confirmed infections over the prior 55 days. Officials said the disease was spreading in the Terai and inner Madhesh and urged vaccination and mosquito precautions.

Japanese encephalitis deaths in Nepal rose to at least 9, with 37 infections reported in less than a month. Officials said the risk is highest for unvaccinated people and kept a Rs460 million vaccination campaign for 11 high-burden districts scheduled for next April.

A three-month dengue awareness campaign began, with local governments directed to lead weekly 'Every Friday, Clean Friday' efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sites during Shrawan, Bhadra, and Ashwin months.

Nepal reported its first Japanese encephalitis death and three infections since the monsoon began, with cases in Sunsari, Ilam, Surkhet, and Chitwan districts. A Rs 460 million vaccination program targeting 11 high-burden districts is planned to start in April next year.

House crows were identified as a primary vector spreading bird flu viruses H5N1 and H9N2 in Kathmandu Valley, with crow deaths linked to outbreaks in Kirtipur and Taudaha. Hundreds of thousands of poultry were culled to contain these avian influenza outbreaks.

Nepal reported over 37,000 burn injury cases receiving treatment amid a critical shortage of specialist doctors, with only 13 plastic surgeons registered for burn care nationwide. The government plans to establish burn wards and expand intensive burn treatment capacities in federal and provincial hospitals.

Fever cases in Nepal rose amid monsoon due to waterborne diseases like dengue, scrub typhus, and typhoid, driven by poor drainage and increased mosquito activity in Kathmandu. Scrub typhus appeared sporadically but remains treatable if diagnosed early.

Dengue, malaria, and kala-azar cases were detected in Kalikot district, marking mosquito-borne diseases' spread to Himalayan areas due to climate change and human travel, with 19 patients reported across six local levels in fiscal year 2082/83.

Far-Western Nepal faces increased risks of floods and landslides threatening over 32,000 people, with provincial authorities allocating over 80 million rupees through the Disaster Management Fund for preparedness and relief efforts.

Nepal has only two sanctioned government entomologist positions critical for vector-borne disease control, with no specialized university courses offered. The government is training health workers in basic vector control amid rising disease risks from climate change and urbanization.

Onset of daily rainfall in Nepal increased dengue infection risk by creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes in accumulated rainwater during the monsoon season.

Since mid-April, natural disasters during the monsoon in Nepal caused 127 deaths and 773 injuries, involving 2,721 incidents affecting 3,722 families. Deadly hazards include snakebites, landslides, and lightning, prompting ongoing weather alerts.

The Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene started broadcasting mobile ringtone messages nationwide to raise awareness about bird flu prevention, emphasizing avoiding contact with infected birds, personal hygiene, and safe consumption of poultry products.

Immunization rates in Nepal's metropolitan areas dropped to 64% compared to 95% in rural municipalities, highlighting risks of outbreaks due to lower vaccine awareness and population challenges in cities.

Dengue infections reached 1,042 across 71 districts with two deaths; government launched a 'search and destroy' campaign and allocated over 30 crore rupees to control mosquito populations.

Nepal's government and security forces mobilized resources nationwide, setting up 54 temporary monsoon response bases and activating 16 permanent disaster management units to handle floods, landslides, and other monsoon-related disasters.

Over 596,000 poultry have been culled to contain the bird flu outbreak affecting 11 districts, and Kathmandu's only zoo was closed due to infections among animals and birds.

Recurring bird flu outbreaks affected 11 districts and led to destruction of over 569,000 birds and nearly one million eggs, causing decreased demand for chicken and eggs ahead of festivals.

Bird flu spread to 11 districts including Kathmandu Valley caused destruction of approximately 600,000 poultry, nearly 1 million eggs, and over 195,000 kg of feed; farmers face financial losses while compensation payments are delayed due to budget shortages.

A man from Chandragiri died of rabies due to a critical shortage of anti-rabies vaccines, highlighting failures in healthcare procurement and distribution in Nepal.

Bird flu infections spread rapidly in districts including Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur, with experts advising precautions to avoid contact with sick birds and ensure food safety.

Bird flu rapidly spread across Kathmandu Valley, resulting in destruction of over 600,000 chickens and more than 1 million eggs, and causing a 20-30% decline in chicken meat consumption.

Discussions with WHO and experts on introducing a dengue vaccine in Nepal remain inconclusive due to concerns about vaccine efficacy against local virus serotypes.

Nepal's Department of Health Services activated a nationwide alert system and allocated over 30 crore rupees for epidemic disease prevention, while training over 200 health workers in field epidemiology to strengthen monsoon disease control.

Nepal recorded over 900 dengue infections across 68 districts ahead of the monsoon, including previously unaffected mountain areas, signaling a potential surge with monsoon rains.