This monsoon has already proved as fatal as previous ones and not just because of flooding and landslides. More than 75 people have died in an outbreak of gastroenteritis in villages in the far western Bajhang and Doti districts. Hundreds of others, mainly the elderly, women and infants, have also contracted the viral and bacterial infections, which spread mainly due to contaminated water and poor sanitation. Health officials in Kathmandu say Gorkha, Baitadi and Dadeldhura have also been hit hard-over 500 people have already been affected. The Ministry of Health says 55 of Nepal's 75 districts are vulnerable to gastroenteritis epidemics. But it isn't only people in remote areas who can catch the bug. Teku Hospital's Epidemiology and Disease Control Division says the infections are spreading fast in Kathmandu too-the hospital sees 20-25 sufferers everyday.