Jhapa, June 27 -- Lumpy skin disease, which had taken the form of an epidemic in Nepal's eastern Jhapa district two years ago, is spreading again in the area, veterinary officials said.

According to the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Expert Centre in Jhapa, 6,039 cattle have been infected across the district, and at least 54 have already died this fiscal year.

While the current spread is not as severe as the earlier outbreak, officials said the number of cases is gradually increasing.

The highest number of infections has been recorded in Mechinagar and Barhadashi municipalities, while Damak has reported comparatively fewer cases.

"Though it is not yet on the scale of the previous epidemic, the rising rate of infection is concerning...