BAJURA, JUNE 16
Black fever, a disease popularly known as kala-azar and normally seen in the tropical plains, is also found in Bajura, a hilly district.
According to Budhinanda Municipality health assistant coordinator Omjung Shahi, cases of the disease have been reported in a few local levels in the north.
Lately, two-year-old Kapur Lowar of Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality was taken to District Hospital for treatment. He was diagnosed with kala-azar.
Though he could be treated in Bajura, he had to be referred to Dhangadi as the hospital in Bajura didn't have the drug to treat the disease.
As learnt, in the past two years, 13 persons have been diagnosed with kala-azar in the district.
While 12 cases were confirmed at Kolti Primary Health Centre, the next one was confirmed at Bajura Hospital. The disease has so far been found in local levels along the Karnali River: Swamikartik Khapar, Jagannath and Himali rural municipalities and Budhinanda Municipality.
Local civil society leader Pradipraj Jaishi said the diagnosis of the disease in the higher altitude was alarming and so required timely government attention.
"The disease is caused by the bite of a particular sandfly, and the person who comes down with the disease displays symptoms, including fever and weight loss, and could even die," said Dr Jasmita Balampaki, adding that patients suffering from the disease are being referred to places like Dhangadi and Nepalgunj for treatment.
A minor had lost her life to the disease in Kolti around two years ago. Bhagya Shahi, aged 13, of Swamikartik Rural Municipality had died in the course of treatment at Kathmandu-based Kanti Children's Hospital. As her condition was critical and couldn't be treated in Kolti, she had been taken to Kathmandu.
A version of this article appears in the print on June 17, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
