Dr Nyein Aye from the Rakhine Ministry of Health said the fatalities were among 26 cases of the disease reported throughout the state since the start of last month.

He said four children had died from the disease in Sittway Township, three in Ponnagyun Township and one in Taunggup Township.

"We see this disease every year but there weren't many casualties last year," Dr Nyein Aye said on July 30, adding that he would have to check records to determine the number of fatalities in 2013.

Japanese encephalitis is a viral brain infection transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes and Dr Nyein Aye said it usually affected children aged between five and 13.
 
The vaccine for Japanese encephalitis is imported from India and Thailand, he said.

Dr Nyein Aye said he had ordered the vaccine from the Union Health Ministry in Nay Pyi Taw but it would not be possible to administer it this year.

Most people infected by the Japanese encephalitis virus exhibit mild flu-like symptoms. In fewer than one in every 250 cases the disease causes more serious symptoms, including seizures and paralysis, and can lead to permanent brain damage.