KATHMANDU, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- At least four people including three children have died due to Japanese encephalitis that has spread in epidemic proportion in Banke district in mid-western Nepal with the onset of the hot monsoon season, the National News Agency, RSS reported on Friday.

    According to the RSS, four out of the 18 encephalitis patients who were admitted at the Bheri Zonal Hospital have died due to the disease so far while eight have returned home after treatment.

    As many as six encephalitis patients are undergoing treatment, according to Arjun Gautam, medical recorder at the hospital.