Humla, May 7

As many as 25 persons lost their lives in the past one month after seasonal diseases broke out in Humla district.

According to District Health Office, Humla seasonal diseases like common cold, cough and fever, among others, have affected five VDCs in the district.

Information Officer at DHO Naresh Shrestha said as many as 17 persons above the age of 64 years died of the diseases.

He said 10 persons died in Syada, seven persons in Raya, four in Shreenagar, and two each in Madana and Radikot VDCs. Shrestha said residents of all 27 VDCs of the district have been suffering from the diseases. Of the VDCs, Syada, Raya, Madana and Radikot VDCs have been the hardest hit.

It is said that a health workers’ team along with medicines have been providing door-to door services in the most affected areas since a week. “Dr Chhabi Bastola, Dr Anil Kumar Gupta and Dr Keashab Bhattarai-led health workers’ team have been treating patients in the villages,” added Shrestha.

It has been reported that a health workers’ team of World Health Organisation has taken the saliva, cough, blood samples from 16 patients for test.

“We will only know whether or not seasonal diseases are the cause of deaths after it submits a report,” said Shrestha.

Similarly, a lab team deployed from the Mid-western Regional Health Directorate, Surkhet has reached the most affected areas with needed medicines and equipment.

Meanwhile, Chief District Officer of Humla Dr Krishna Bahadur Ghimire said his office in coordination with the district health office has deployed health workers’ team along with medicines to the worst hit areas.

It is also said that the residents of Shreenagar have submitted a memorandum to the administration citing that seasonal diseases has begun to claim the lives of villagers.