Encephalitis toll reaches 45 in far western Nepal

Japanese Encephalitis claimed 45 lives in a district of far-western Nepal since its outbreak three weeks ago, local health officer confirmed Monday.

"A total of 45 people, including 27 at Seti Zonal Hospital and 18 at Tikapur Hospital, died while undergoing treatment of Japanese Encephalitis in Kailali district, some 700 km west of Kathmandu," Yam Baral, an officer from District Public Health Office, told reporters.

Some 15 people died in the past four days from the disease, Baral noted, adding, "Some four to five patients die daily at present while 10 to 12 are admitted daily."

Most of the dead are children of the impoverished class, Baral said.

Of the 236 patients admitted in both the hospitals, 84 returned home after treatment and more than 100 are undergoing treatment at present, Baral revealed.

Meanwhile, various local governmental and non-governmental organizations have provided financial and material assistance to the hospitals for treatment of the disease in the district, he added.