KATHMANDU: Bheri Hospital has verified the diagnosis of Japanese encephalitis in a nine-year-old girl from Narainapur Rural Municipality in the Banke district. Dr. Pratima Khadka, a doctor, reports that the girl is stable and getting treatment in the intensive care unit.

The laboratory findings verified the presence of the Japanese encephalitis virus in the youngster. However, it is unknown whether she was immunized against the virus, according to District Health Office Chief Angad Bahadur Shahi. Children aged 12 to 23 months must be inoculated against Japanese encephalitis as part of a mandated program.

The virus is typically found in birds and pigs, and it is spread to people via culex mosquito bites. According to Dr. Sanket Kumar Risal, the information officer at Bheri Hospital, symptoms of the virus include fever, nausea, shaking, and headache.

In response to the outbreak, Bheri Hospital has set up a separate ward for patients suffering from diarrhea. Currently, three girls are being treated for diarrhea in this ward.

Among the three patients, one is in critical condition, Dr. Khadka reported. The hospital is monitoring the patients closely and providing necessary care.

Concerns concerning the spread of diseases carried by mosquitoes in the area are raised by the discovery of Japanese encephalitis. To guarantee that appropriate preventive measures are in place, local health authorities are working hard.

Health officials are reviewing the immunization status of youngsters in the affected area and stressing the need for prompt vaccinations in order to stop the spread of the disease.

The hospital and local health officials are working to address the case of Japanese encephalitis as well as the diarrhea outbreak, making sure that the right care and preventative measures are available.