RAJBIRAJ, August 6

The outbreak of diarrhoea two weeks ago caused around two dozen people to fall ill and it is yet to be brought under control, in Saptari, Maleth.

Most of the patients of the Musahar settlement in Maleth-6 have shown symptoms such as dysentery, nausea and fits of unconsciousness. “It’s been three days since I returned after treatment. Though I am fit and fine, the other members of my family have fallen prey to the disease,” said local Chandreshwor Sada, adding, “however, no one had died due to the disease till date in the village.”

Another local Nemani Sada complained that there was lack of treatment for ill people at the local level.

“The disease is taking its toll on the poor and it has added to our woes as there is no reliable treatment in the village,” said Nemani, adding, “Just recently, someone was seriously ill. We took him to the hospital in the district headquarters but as the hospital was ill-equipped, he couldn’t be treated there, then we had to take him to Biratnagar.”

The villagers have also sought an expert government team of health workers in the village for treatment of patients. However, Maleth sub-health post in-charge Sudhir Jha, on his part, described the case as just ‘food poisoning’ rather than diarrhoea outbreak.

“It’s not a serious diarrhoea outbreak as rumoured, but just food poisoning, which can be cured,” he said, adding, “Except for a few patients, most are being treated at the health post itself.”