Kathmandu, August 6:

The number of deaths due to diarrhoea and dysentry is decreasing with each passing year.

A total of 43 people died due to diarrhoea in the last four months. A total of 1413 cases of diarrhoea was reported, of which 43 deaths occurred due to dysentry and diarrhoea throughout the nation from months of Baishak till Shrawan. “Death rates have gone down drastically over the past few years as people are getting more aware of health hazards during the monsoon season,” said Dr Mahendra Bahadur Bista, director at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD). Of the 75 districts, Baitadi topped with 360 cases of diarrhoea and dysentry, recording 16 deaths. In Jumla, 233 cases were reported, with 11 deaths; Bajhang recorded 206 cases with 1 death; Mugu’s 106 cases included 3 deaths, Bajura’s 68 cases included 4 deaths. Accham’s 12 cases included 2 deaths while the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease (STID) Hospital got the most cases — 1302, but no death was reported.

According to EDCD, 24 deaths were reported owing to other communicable diseases in 1393 cases. Mugu reported 840 cases with only 6 deaths due to pneumonia; Tansen reported 12 deaths in 41 cases due to mushroom poisoning; in Bajura 184 cases of typhoid occurred but no death occurred while 586 cases of viral influenza were reported in Sindhupalchowk and Bajura, with no death reported. Dr Bista said the disease has been controlled in all districts except Tansen. “The government has been sending essential drugs to the districts,” said Dr Bista.