JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS – NEPAL (04)
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Fri 8 Nov 2024
Source: The Kathmandu Post [edited]
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2024/11/08/je-death-toll-rises-to-23-development-partners-not-driven-to-provide-vaccine
At least 23 died, including one in Kathmandu Valley, and over 80
people have been infected with the Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus
since June this year [2024].
The number of reported cases could be just the tip of the iceberg, as
tests were carried out only on those hospitalised patients after their
conditions got severe, officials say.
“The death rate from the Japanese encephalitis infection is the
highest among the vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Dr Bibek Kumar
Lal, director of the Family Welfare Division. “Relevant health
agencies have been taking all necessary measures to prevent infection
and deaths from the virus.”
Cases of the deadly viral disease have been reported in 30 districts
of 6 provinces except Karnali. What concerns health officials is the
death rate rising alarmingly every year — around 29% in the current
fiscal year. Fatality among children under 15 years is very high while
complications from JE infection could cause permanent injuries to the
brain and the nervous system.
Japanese encephalitis is a viral brain infection, endemic in Asia and
parts of the Western Pacific. According to the World Health
Organisation, it is a mosquito-borne flavivirus belonging to the same
family as dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and West Nile viruses. The virus
kills a third of those who fall ill and leaves up to a half of those
who survive with severe life-long disabilities, according to the UN
health body.
Data from the health ministry show that less than 50% of the infected
patients were found inoculated with the vaccine. Doctors say the
disease has no cure, so treatment focuses on managing symptoms.
However, safe and effective vaccines have been developed to prevent
infection.
Health officials, however, said that their attempts to convince
development partners, including the World Health Organisation, for a
mass JE vaccination campaign have not succeeded.
“We have raised the issue several times with officials from the Global
Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation and requested their support,”
said Lal. “But as of now, none of the agencies is convinced to support
JE vaccination. Either the government has to decide and secure the
funding source, or the aid agency should invest in the JE
vaccination.”
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee, an expert panel, has
also not recommended mass JE vaccination despite the high mortality
rate.
“Vaccine does not help in controlling the ongoing epidemic,” said Dr
Ramesh Kanta Adhikari, senior immunisation expert and a National
Immunisation Advisory Committee member.
“We are ready to carry out a feasibility study, hold review meetings
and discussions with the concerned experts and stakeholders to
recommend the JE vaccination campaign if the government decides the
same.”
In 2005, JE killed nearly 2000 people in Nepal — mostly children from
the Tarai districts. Nepal started administering the vaccine doses in
2006, 8 years before the World Health Organisation officially issued
prequalification certification, due to high rates of infection and
deaths from the virus at the time.
In the 1st phase, all populations of the highly affected 4 districts