Kathmandu, May 18

With the onset of pre-monsoon, number of diarrhoea patients is increasing in Kathmandu valley.

“From among the patients visiting the hospital’’s out-patient department, 20 per cent are found suffering from diarrhoeal diseases,” said Dr Khem Raj Bhusal, consultant physician at Green City Hospital, Basundhara.

Children too are found to be suffering from diarrhoeal diseases. “Children are at higher risk. They should be given oral rehydrated solution as quickly as possible,” said the doctor, adding that diarrhoeal diseases account for one in nine child deaths worldwide, making diarrhoea the second leading cause of death among children under the age of five years.

As per Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2016 diarrhoea is the most common illnesses among children and continues to be a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of diarrhoea increases sharply from six per cent among children below the age of six months to 15 per cent among those aged between six and 11 months when they are typically introduced to complementary foods. If children suffer from diarrhoea, they should be given abundant liquid.

“Consumption of food washed and prepared using polluted water and intake of contaminated water are the leading causes of diarrhoea. This is why one must be conscious about his/her health during the rainy season,” added the doctor.

People are also likely to suffer from food poisoning and dysentery during this season. “Eat in sun dried dinner plates, drink boiled water, wash hands before eating and after using toilet, wash fruits with boiled water and do not eat street foods to prevent diarrhoeal diseases,” suggested the doctor.