Kathmandu, Aug. 23 -- Japanese encephalitis has killed six of the 10 people infected in Jhapa since the current outbreak began in the second week of July. The 60 percent case-fatility rate, the highest in the country, has led health officials to consider an emergency vaccination drive for adults in the district.

Officials say vaccines purchased for childhood vaccination programmes could be administered to people over 30 in the first phase.

"The death rate of 60 percent is alarming," said Dr Manohar Pradhan, expert advisor to Health Minister Nisha Mehta. "We are preparing to start vaccination from Jhapa district for people above 30 years of age."

Nepal is currently in the midst of a major JE outbreak that has killed at least 21 people a...