measles , diarrhoea, and rabies have claimed 121 lives in Nepal in this year's rainy season. Three districts of the mid-west and two districts of the central region have been worst affected with measles and diarrhoea claiming 114 lives, said Benu Bahadur Karki, director of epidemiology and disease control division of the health ministry.

Outbreak of rabies has affected 237 people, seven of whom died. Two teams of health workers have been dispatched from Nepalganj to administer vaccines to those carrying the virus. Health ministry officials say there is no fear of further rabies outbreak. "We have started killing stray dogs and we are going to send 10,000 ml of anti-rabies vaccine to Kalikot and Dailekh (the areas worst hit with rabies),' Karki added.

A possible reason for the spread of rabies is the consumption of uncooked meat, and that of milk without boiling it, said Karki. Milk and meat from affected animals could have contributed to the spread of rabies, he added.