The Department of Health Services has reported that the number of people being infected with Japanese encephalitis is increasing in the country.

So far, 103 people have been confirmed to be infected with Japanese encephalitis, and of them 20 have died, said Chief of Child Health and Vaccination Unit Dr Abhiyan Gautam.

He also said that Japanese encephalitis infections have been mostly found in people who have not been vaccinated.

People from Jhapa, Morang, Tehrathum, Bara, Sindhuli, Arghakhanchi, Pyuthan, Dang, Bardiya, Kailali, Rautahat, Nawalparasi East, Chitwan and Nawalparasi West have died from the infection.

According to health workers, Japanese encephalitis is caused by the bite of mosquitoes, especially of the Culex species.

It causes serious brain infections, leading to even death in some serious conditions.