Nepal launches vaccination campaign against Japanese Encephalitis

The Nepali government has launched vaccination campaign against the Japanese Encephalitis, which causes problem in various districts in Tarai region of the country, state-run Radio Nepal reported Saturday.

The vaccine purchased under the financial assistance of the World Bank is being rendered to residents of the most affected districts including Banke, Bardiya, Dang, Kailali, Rupandehi and Kanchanpur Districts in southern parts of the country, the radio said.

It was estimated that the disease has spread in 24 districts of the region in form of epidemic since the onset of the rainy season infected at least 1,000 to 3,000 people and claimed 200-400 lives every year.

Some 2 million people live in the region, which is considered to be a highly affected area.

In order to prevent the epidemic, more than 3 million doses of vaccines have been arranged, according to the radio.

Director General of the Department of Health Services Mahendra Bista said that the vaccination against the disease will be carried out regularly under the Extensive Vaccination Program in the years to come.

Usually, the disease breaks out in the region with the onset of monsoon season during June-September.

As many as 726,000 people have been targeted for vaccination program, according to an earlier report.

Meanwhile, 1,229 vaccination centers will be set up in Terai region, for which 276 vaccination workers and 3,700 volunteers will be mobilized, according to the office.

Source: Xinhua