Kathmandu, Aug. 11 -- The number of cases of Japanese encephalitis (JE) infection has reached 33, up from 13 some 10 days ago. Along with the new cases, the number of deaths and districts reporting outbreaks of the deadly virus have also risen-three deaths and 18 districts.

Health ministry's data show the case fatality rate among infected people is over nine percent, and the rise in the spread of the infection clearly indicates that the country is again witnessing a resurgence of the deadly disease, which has killed and infected thousands of people in the past. The unvaccinated make up most of those infected and dead.

Experts warn that without vaccination, these vulnerable populations are at high risk, and the government has yet to take...