Schools in Syangja to remain shut for a week
Pokhara, August 4
All private schools in Waling and its vicinity today decided to remain shut for a week after a person died of swine flu a few days ago in Syangja.
The Syangja chapter of Private and Boarding Schools’ Organisation decided to close all private schools in the district until August 11, according to the chapter’s secretary Suraj Kumar Adhikari. “With the number of students attending schools declining sharply, we decided to shut the schools for a week,” said Adhikari.
Khum Prasad Aryal, a resident of Waling Municipality-14, succumbed to the influenza on July 24. Later, six people tested positive when Epidemiology and Disease Control Department Public Health Officer Resham Lamichhane conducted examination of samples of blood and saliva collected from 24 patients.
The number of people visiting hospital, health posts and clinics with complaints of cough, fever and common cold in the urban area of the district has risen sharply, according to Ranga Nath Regmi, operator of Ashok Pharma in Waling.
Meanwhile, at least three persons have died of the flu in Pokhara. They had been admitted to Gandaki Medical College after they complained of fever, common cold, cough, headache and breathing problems, among others. They were later referred to Kathmandu for further treatment. Of them, two died at Grande International Hospital while another died at Green city Hospital in Kathmandu.
Lochan BK of Majheripatan, Pokhara died at Grande Hospital a few days ago while another woman from Pokhara–15 succumbed to the disease on Wednesday.
Similarly, a 66-year-old woman from Himali Tole, Gharipatan died due to the influenza at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital the same day. Further details of the deceased persons are yet to be known, said Yam Baral, an official at District Public Health Office. Of the six persons, three were from Kaski, he confirmed.
“We held consultation with Pokhara-Lekhnath Metropolitan City Mayor Man Bahadur GC. We are planning to launch a special programme to raise awareness of the disease among city dwellers,” said Baral.
A team of health workers has been formed to raise awareness of the disease in the metropolis.
More than 20 people visit the regional laboratory centre in Pokhara for influenza A and B tests on a daily basis, as per technician Bishnu Prasad Ghimire. Various drugs, medical equipment and vaccinations against swine flu have been made available to the people in Kaski district, Ghimire informed.
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