Rautahat, August 1:

Five persons have died of dysentery and viral fever over the last week in two VDCs of Rautahat district. The diseases spread due to floods and waterlogging caused by incessant rains that have lashed the country since a fortnight.

Scores of others have been affected by viral fever and dysentery. People are increasingly falling prey to the diseases due to the contaminated drinking water. The flood has contaminated all ground drinking water sources, said locals.

Chaniya Khatoon, 43, and Ramula Khatun, 32, of Karuniya VDC and Kaniyawa Khatun,

48, and the 33-year-old wife of Shiv Sahani in Dewahmi VDC died of dysentery.

In Karunia VDC, Ramkalia Devi, 43, died of viral fever.

Sheikh Nurullah, a local of Karunia, said at least five persons have succumbed to viral fever and dysentery over the last seven days.

Locals complained that the District Public Health Office was not showing any concern despite their repeated appeals to come and treat ailing persons.

No team of health workers has visited the affected areas, they said.