Viral fever is taking its toll in various parts of the country, with hundreds reported to be taken ill in the past few days.

More than 200 students have fallen sick of viral fever at a local school in Lapilang VDC, Dolakha, for the past five days. The Lapilang-based Janajyoti Secondary School has been shut for indefinite period as a precautionary measure, said teacher Ganesh Karki.

The patients complain of fever, cough, headache and nausea. The disease has been spreading in wards 6, 7, 8, and 9 of the VDC, the villagers said, adding that they were in want of treatment.  

Keshav Rijal, an official at the District Health Office, said the office was informed about the disease. A medical team has been dispatched in the affected area, he claimed.

In Kanchanpur, the number of patients is on the rise at various health facilities in the district over the past two weeks. About 250 patients visit the Out Patient Department of Mahakali Zonal Hospital, while around 60 more come to the emergency unit for treatment daily.

“Most of the patients visiting the hospital have been suffering from viral fever and typhoid,” said Medical Superintendent Dr Shriram Tiwari, pointing to filthy and impure water caused by recent floods and landslides in the area for the endemic.

Viral fever, diarrhoea yet to come under control

The spread of viral fever and diarrhoea in several flood-affected areas in the district are yet to come under control. The meeting of District Natural Disaster Management Committee on Thursday decided to mobilise health workers to contain the diseases. According to the District Public Health Office, around 9,000 people in Holiya, Gangapur and Phattepur are at high risk of epidemic.