Those dead have been identified as 60-year-old Chalmaya Gurung of Gunda-5, 30-year-old Kul Bahadur Gurung of Gumba-6, Ait Singh Ghale of Kashigaon-1 and 40-year-old Kanchi Gurung, also of Kashigaon-1. [break]
Chalmaya died within an hour after complaining of diarrhea, while Kul Bahadur died within 24 hours, according to Tul Singh Gurung, a local. Assistant Health Worker (AHW) Laxman Ghale of Kashigaon said Chalmaya and Ait Singh died in their houses, while Kul Bahadur and Kanchi died at a local sub-health post while receiving treatment.
Kul Bahadur died on Wednesday.
All seven family members of Chalmaya are also suffering from diarrhea.
Villagers are terrified, especially because there are no doctors in these villages.
According to AHW Ghale, residents of these villages generally visit faith healers first, and come to health posts only after their conditions worsen. “Patients are showing vomiting and diarrhea symptoms,” he said. They also complain of headaches, throat aches, body aches, and cough.
“So far, they are receiving medicines available at the sub-health post. But the medicines are enough for around 20 people only,” he said. The District Public Health Office (DPHO) has been informed about the situation.
Dr Gunaraj Lohani, chief of DPHO, said he can confirm only two deaths. According to Lohani, three health workers left for the affected villages on Thursday. In addition, a team headed by a doctor will be dispatched on Friday.
One has to walk for two days from the district headquarters to reach the villages.
Last year, diarrhea killed 13 people in Gumda VDC.
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