Kathmandu, August 16

Thirty-seven people of Bhangaha, Mahottari suffered diarrhoea after the floods. However, all affected people underwent medical check-up and no serious health complications were found.

There is very little chance of water-borne diseases turning epidemic in the country as there is ample stock of medicine at health facilities, district stores, regional medical stores and central medical stores in the country.

The government is more than prepared to tackle such emergency situations. In addition, 25,000 chlorine tablets have already been distributed in Siraha, Saptari and Mahottari districts. Similarly, bleaching powder and piyush, a water purifying tablet, was also distributed in Siraha, Saptari Mahottari and Rautahat districts. Water jars and chlorine tablets have been distributed in Musahar Tole in Janakpur as well.

The doctors however have advised the flood victims to be extra careful as there still remained the risk of epidemic outbreak as the floods had polluted all water sources.

“The rumour of diarrhoea outbreak in Jhapa is yet to be confirmed. We haven’t got any reports from our rapid response team till now about the outbreak,” informed Dr Bhim Acharya, director Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Teku. Doctors have also requested flood victims not to panic regarding epidemic.

A rapid response team comprising 15 members, including health practitioners from EDCD has already been deployed in Morang, Saptari, Janakpur, Rautahat and Nepalgunj.

It is also informed that health services from Fattepur Health Post, Banke, have resumed from a new location after the health post was inundated. The medicines in the health post have already been sent from Regional Medical Store, Nepalgunj, and Central Medical Store, Pathlaiya, Bara.

Information about the health condition of flood and landslide victims is being collected by information cell at EDCD. The hotline number 4100187 has also been brought into operation to report the health situation of flood and landslide affected citizens across the country.