Encephalitis claims 200 in Nepal

The disease is transmitted via infected mosquitoes

More than 200 people in Nepal have now died from Japanese encephalitis, officials say, in an outbreak that has claimed more than 700 lives in India.

Nepalese authorities say thousands have been affected in the past two months and the death toll could be far higher with unreported deaths.

NGOs in India say that for the same reason the number killed there could be much greater, perhaps reaching 1,500.

The disease is transmitted from infected mosquitoes.

As in India, most of the dead in Nepal are children.

Contract

Nepalese authorities say medical supplies have been stepped up but admit a failure to disburse sufficient medicines in time to the affected areas has caused a number of deaths.

Uttar Pradesh in India has borne the brunt of the outbreak

Health workers say the official death toll only covers public hospitals, not those who die at home, often in remote areas.

Health Minister Nikshya Sumshere Rana said the country was short of vaccine and was trying to obtain more from China.

He feared the number of dead could go much higher.

A report on the Nepalnews web site said the government had come under criticism for failing to procure enough vaccines using a World Bank fund.

It said health officials were worried about awarding a contract without a proper tendering process.

The worst affected areas are the villages of the south-western districts, bordering the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, which has borne the brunt of the outbreak.

Japanese encephalitis has killed at least 8,000 people in Uttar Pradesh since 1978.