Kathmandu, August 23:

Responding to the outbreak of diseases in flood-affected areas of Sunsari and Saptari districts, the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division has sent medical personnel and medicines.

"Four medical experts have left for the affected areas," said Dr L B Thapa, director of the EDCD, adding that they would supply medicines as per the demand.

People in the affected areas are suffering from gastroenteritis, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, cholera, pneumonia, common cold and loss of appetite due to contaminated water, poor sanitary conditions and cold.

"Medicines have been sent under the supervision of Dr Bindeshwor Prasad Yadav, focal point for diseases and outbreak control at the EDCD, today," Thapa added.

Dr Yadav said the medicines dispatched under his supervision would be enough to treat 1,000 cases of gastroenteritis and 3,000 patients of acute respiratory infections, including pneumonia. "The medical team from EDCD will provide treatment to flood victims in coordination with other relief organisations," he said.

Nepal Red Cross Society said the flooded Saptakoshi has displaced 20,000 people in Saptari and 34,000 in Sunsari.