Four out of five samples of stool collected from victims in the affected area tested positive for cholera at the Dadeldhura Hospital. The health workers deployed in the affected settlements suspect most of the patients might have been suffering from cholera.

Residents of Kosankhola, Dhandali Phant and Gushti have been suffering from diarrhoea since August 14.

According to Hikmat Dhami, coordinator of the municipality’s health unit, five seriously ill patients were taken to Jogbudha Hospital while 76 others are receiving treatment at the local Sandani Health Post. “Most of the patients are suspected to be suffering from cholera,” said Dhami.

The health workers set up camps in the affected area and provided treatment. “The number of patients is rising gradually. The disease has not come under control,” said Aananda Kumar Yadav, chief at the Sandani Health Post.

The health officials said diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid were spreading in the area. “The epidemic broke out due to unsafe drinking water,” said Dhami.

Though the disease has been spreading for the past week, only health officials of the municipality have been mobilised to contain it. A health team with specialists has not reached the affected area yet.

The affected area is about 80 km from the district headquarters.