KATHMANDU: With the mercury soaring, health facilities in the Capital  are experiencing an increase in the number of people coming with complaints of influenza, diarrhea, common cold and allergies among other infections.

Lately, the patients' influx at the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital  has increased with cases of influenza, diarrhoea, common cold and allergies, mainly due to the consumption of unhealthy food and contaminated water, said Sher Bahadur Pun at the Hospital.

According to him, Kathmandu Valley is at high risk of influenza and cholera. Factors as the high density of population, consumption of contaminated water and unhygienic food contribute to the outbreak of such epidemic with the change in the seasons.

Pun has advised all to drink properly boiled and filtered water and wash hands  before eating. Similarly, he suggests patients seek medical intervention in the initial stage of the infection to prevent further health hazard.

Suggestions also include avoidance of crowd and puddle and keeping safe from dust and smoke besides using clean utensils. "Since the contaminated water and food cause diarrhoea, it's wise to take into consideration the preventive measures than curative," said paediatrician at the Kanti Children Hospital,  Krishna Prasad Poudel.

According to him, the cases of influenza and diarrhoea are highly reported in the hospital with the onset of summer.

The cases of snake bites are also on the rise at the Sukraraj Hospital, added  Pun.