At least 175 households at Itahar village in Narahi VDC-6 and 7 are suspected to have been infected with H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, concerned health officials said.

Bishnu Prasad Upadhaya, Influenza Section chief at Teku-based National Public Health Laboratory, said the virus was detected in 12 of the total 16 blood samples during lab tests. The flu has affected mostly children, senior citizens and post-natal women.

Surendra Sah, a local social activist, said disease is spreading as people carelessly used medicine. He said the disease spread after some youths living New Delhi in India returned home.