Chitwan, September 21:

The outbreak of diarrhoea and dysentery spread in Jutpani area of eastern Chitwan has been controlled now, said the Chitwan district public health office (DPHO) today.

DPHO chief Ram Chandra Pathak said only a few patients are undergoing treatment in the hospitals in the district, adding that most of those affected have already returned home after cure.

Jutpani health post chief Dr Bhoj Raj Adhikari said health workers and technicians reached the affected area yesterday and advised locals to use only boiled water, adding that more than 150 persons were sent home after treatment. He said that only 15 persons were undergoing treatment at the Bharatpur hospital now, while more than 20 persons had returned home after getting cured. Dr Adhikari said that blood samples of the patients have been sent to laboratory to determine whether they have cholera.

Combatants of the Maoist People’s Liberation Army 3rd division camp near Jutpani are also suffering from diarrhoea and dysentery, with the camp facing a shortage of medicines. Camp secretary Abiral said 54 PLA personnel are being treated in the emergency cell of the camp. More than 300 PLA personnel are bedridden and taking medicines brought from their pockets for diarrhoea. Abiral said the DPHO had promised to dispatch medicines, but did not keep its word.