• At least 14 persons died of SARI this year, against 17 in the last fiscal

Kathmandu, March 21 As many as 187 cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection have been reported so far this year since mid-July. According to the 10th weekly bulletin issued by Epidemiology and Disease Control Division for this year, the cases of SARI reported this week is less than the number (219) reported in the same week of March last year. Of the 187 cases, the highest 24 cases were recorded in Rupandehi; 20 in Lalitpur; 17 in Morang; 14 in Jhapa; eight in Palpa; seven each in Baitadi and Saptari; and six each in Dhankuta, Kanchanpur and Siraha districts. Similarly, two SARI-related deaths were reported this week, one each from Kanti Children’s Hospital, Kathmandu and United Mission Hospital, Palpa. The bulletin said the deceased were from Bardiya and Rupandehi districts. At least 14 persons have died of SARI so far this year compared to 17 deaths in 2016. The bulletin on Early Warning and Reporting System mainly focuses on the weekly reporting of number of cases and deaths (including ‘zero’ reports) of six priority diseases/syndromes — malaria, kala-azar, dengue, acute gastroenteritis, cholera and SARI, and other epidemic potential diseases/syndromes like enteric fever. It equally focuses on immediate reporting confirmed cases of contagious disease. Likewise, two cases of kala-azar were reported this week from Janakpur Zonal Hospital, Dhanusha and the cases are from Gaidhabhetpur VDC of Mahottari district and Janakpur Municipality of Dhanusha district. Two cases of malaria were also reported, one each from Lumbini Zonal Hospital, Rupandehi and United Mission Hospital, Palpa. The victims were from Arghakhanchi and Kanchanpur district, respectively. No case of dengue was reported this week. According to World Health Organisation, SARI is an infection that may interfere with normal breathing and usually begins as a viral infection in the nose, trachea or lungs. If the infection is not treated, it can spread to the entire respiratory system. SARI is infectious and can spread from one person to another. Children, elderly and people with immune system disorders are more vulnerable to it.