Kathmandu, May 23

One death from Severe Acute Respiratory Infection was reported this week from Kanti Children’s Hospital and the deceased was a Kathmandu denizen.

According to a weekly bulletin (May 15 to 21) published by Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, as many as 148 cases of SARI were reported in the 19th epidemiological week of 2017. However, the cases of SARI reported this week did not exceed the number reported in the same week last year (153 cases).

Among 148 cases, a majority of cases are from Rupandehi (17), Morang (16), Jhapa (13), Panchthar (14), Lalitpur (12), Dhankuta (8), Kathmandu (8), Siraha (7) and Kanchanpur (6). Thirty deaths from SARI have been reported so far this year. At least 70 persons died of SARI in 2016, said the bulletin.

SARI is an acute respiratory infection that results in severe clinical illness, typically requiring hospitalisation or resulting in death. The symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath. Agents which cause SARI can be virus or bacteria.

Similarly, 10 cases of Kala-azar were reported this week. Four cases were reported from Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku; two from BPKIHS, Dharan; two from Bayalpata Hospital, Achham; one from Ramkumar Umasankar Hospital, Siraha; and one from Lumbini Zonal Hospital, Rupandehi. The cases are from Bara, Sarlahi, Makawanpur, Kathmandu, Mahottari, Siraha, Achham and Palpa districts.

According to the EDCD bulletin, as many as 113 cases of Kala-azar have been reported so far this year. Over 150 cases of Kala-azar were reported in 2016.

Likewise, 24 cases of enteric fever were reported this week, including six from Kavre and two each from Dang, Dhading, Kathmandu, Nawalparasi, Ramechhap and Siraha district. One death from enteric fever was reported this week from United Mission Hospital, Palpa and the deceased was from Kaseni VDC of Palpa.