JHAPA: Denizens of Jhapa which had just suffered from bird flu, now fear the outbreak of Swine flu as the government has not taken any initiatives to prevent it though the disease has prevailed in the neighbouring Indian cities. Though the government decided to set up medical check points at entry points in Kakadvitta, Rupedia, Rakshaul and Sunauli, the decision has yet to be implemented.

Acting Chief of District Health Office Mahendra Chaudhari said that the DHO had not received any directions from the centre to set up health desks at the entry points. He admitted that they had not taken any initiatives to prevent swine flu in the district.

Jhapa is the first place in the country to be hit by bird flu. Sudhir Kumar Siwakoti, district president of Nepali Congress, said, “The people here are afraid of swine flu as the region had just suffered form bird flu.”

He urged the government to set up a health desk at Kakadvitta entry point at the earliest. Former Chief of Mechinagar Municipality Rabin Koirala urged the government to take initiatives for the prevention of swine flu at the earliest. According to him, hundreds of

foreigners enter Nepal via Kakadvitta entry point and the Bhadrapur airport.”

Koirala accused the government of not taking any measures to prevent swine flu. He warned that the people of the area would come down to the streets if the government did not implement its’ decision at the earliest.