Analysis of Japanese encephalitis epidemic in western Nepal in 1997

We conducted an epidemiological study of a Japanese encephalitis (JE) outbr eak in the southwestern part of Nepal in 1997, A high density of JE infecti ons was found and it was estimated that 27.9 % the total population were in fected with JE virus in the study area. The fatality rate was 13.2 % and th ere was no difference in the fatality rate between males and females over 5 years old. However, the case fatality rate was 2.1 times higher in females than in males (14.6 % vs. 6.9 %) among children under 5 years of age. Fift y-three blood samples were collected from suspected JE cases during the epi demic period in 1998. Findings for JE specific IgM revealed that clinical d iagnoses of JE were serologically confirmed in an average 78 % (70-93 %) of patients in three collaborating hospitals. These studies demonstrated that JE was highly prevalent in the area and clinical diagnoses were reliable. Effective preventive measures should be taken against this vaccine-preventa ble disease.