Japanese Encephalitis Vaccination Campaign to Target 182,313 People in Three Kailali Local Levels

Dhangadhi: A vaccination campaign against Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is set to be launched in three local levels of Kailali district following a rise in JE infection rates. The Health Office, Kailali, will initiate the campaign from Asoj 1 (mid-September).

During a meeting of the District Vaccine Coordination Committee held on Saturday, Ramesh Kunwar, Chief of the Health Office, Kailali, announced that the campaign would be conducted in Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City, Lamkichuha Municipality, and Ghodaghodi Municipality.

According to Chief Kunwar, the vaccination drive will run from Asoj 1 to 7 in Ghodaghodi and Lamkichuha municipalities, and from Asoj 8 to 22 in Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City.

Under the campaign, individuals aged 30 years and above will be vaccinated against JE. The Health Office aims to vaccinate a total of 182,313 people: 102,499 in Dhangadhi, 39,059 in Ghodaghodi, and 40,755 in Lamkichuha. Of the target population, 100,389 are women.

The Health Office stated that 191,429 doses of the vaccine are currently being procured for the campaign. Necessary preparations are underway to administer the vaccines through local government bodies and health institutions.

Chief Kunwar reported that two people have died due to JE infection in Ghodaghodi Municipality since the beginning of 2026. He also noted that there are three confirmed cases of infection each in Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City and Lamkichuha Municipality.

What is Japanese Encephalitis?
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a viral disease transmitted through mosquito bites. Kunwar, Chief of the Kailali Health Office, stated that the infection can be severe as it primarily affects the brain.

“It is a disease involving animals and mosquitoes. Once an infected mosquito bites, the virus enters the body and can cause serious brain-related complications,” he said.

Kunwar noted that JE is not transmitted from person to person. Although not everyone infected shows symptoms, those who do may experience high fever, headache, nausea, physical weakness, tremors, and neck stiffness.

The Health Office has stated that special attention must be paid to mosquito control and sanitation to prevent the disease. Kunwar advised installing mesh screens on windows and doors, preventing water stagnation around the house, and wearing full-sleeved clothing.

Since JE is linked to a transmission cycle involving mosquitoes and animals such as pigs, ducks, chickens, and other birds, he recommended raising these animals and poultry in a systematic manner at a distance from residential areas.

Kunwar informed that local authorities would handle control and management efforts if JE is suspected, while testing to confirm the infection would be conducted at the Provincial Public Health Laboratory.