Most of those affected have been children and women

The disease has killed more than 1000 people over the past three months and affected many more in both countries.

Most of those affected have been children and women.

The brain fever normally spreads through mosquito bites during the monsoon season which starts in June and ends in September.

More than 700 people have died in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh alone since July.

"We can now safely assume that the worst is over," O P Singh, chief of Uttar Pradesh's health services, said.

"Though the virus would continue to remain there until the middle of October, it is likely to turn less virulent."

Overstretched

Mr Singh said 85% of those who had died were children between the age 3 and 15 years.

The flow of patients quickly overstretched hospitals and medical staff

Authorities in Uttar Pradesh came under severe criticism for what was seen as their lax response to the outbreak of the disease which began in July.

The flow of patients quickly overstretched hospitals and medical staff and some beds were used for more than one child.

Dozens of extra doctors and health workers have now been sent to the state's badly affected eastern districts.

The disease has also killed more than 250 people in neighbouring Nepal this summer.

Doctors in the area of Nepal that has been affected say that fewer patients have been reporting to hospitals in recent days.

They say that the disease should be under control by the end of next week.

Japanese encephalitis normally spreads during the monsoon season.