BAJURA: Most of the children at Kuldevmandu VDC in Bajura are suffering from chickenpox, which broke out in the villages last month.

According to Tante Health Post, children below 15 years of age are the most afflicted. Chickenpox is a contagious and communicable disease that causes itchy red spots or blisters over the body.

Children at Borawada, Sayal, Densayal and Nawaghar, among other villages of the VDC, have been affected. Local Dayaram Budha said the disease was increasing among children.

Almost all the students of Minariya English Boarding School of Kuldevmandu are said to be suffering from the disease.

Hemanta Padhya, Principal of the school, said that teaching-learning activities in the school were affected the most due to the outbreak of the disease among students. “Other schools have also been facing the same problem,” he added.

Red rashes, itchy blisters, high fever and uneasiness are the symptoms of chickenpox. Local Tika Giri said the disease required little or no treatment. “My son was suffering from chickenpox, but it disappeared after two weeks,” he said.

Bishnu Regmi, in-charge of Tante Health Post, said that five to six persons visited the health post on a daily basis. “It is a seasonal disease and appears especially during summer season,” he informed. He added that patients should avoid crowded areas such as schools and bazaars.

Public Health Officer Gyanendra Dawadi said his office had informed Tante Health Post after they came to know about the outbreak of chickenpox in the villages of Kuldevmandu VDC.