Rautahat, May 9:

Three children died of kala-azar at Mangalpur Nayabasti of Paurai VDC in Rautahat district,last night.

Kala-aza patients Barsha Ghalan (14), Kumari Sahani (11) and Jay Ram Sahani (9) died while undergoing treatment at the Birgunj-based Narayani Sub regional Hospital on Monday night, said a local Laxman Neupane.

Six Kala-azar people have already returned to their homes after treatment while there are some other infected still lying at the village, he said, adding, “Though locals have urged the concerned authorities — District Health Office and the local Health Centre, Chandranigahapur — to control kala-azar nothing has been done so far.”

Experts say if preventive measures were not taken in time more people of the region will be infected.

Dr Ram Shankar Thakur of Gaur Hospital said he was informed about the spread of the disease but was not aware of the death of three children.

Confirming the news about the spread of the disease in two dozen VDCs, Dr Thakur said, “The concerned authorities have already initiated necessary steps to control the

disease.”