"Of the total 147 children examined in a day, more than 50 percent were diagnosed with jaundice," said Doctor Nanibabu Dani, a health assistant at the District Health Office (DHO), Gorkha. Dani reached Barpak following reports of jaundice outbreak.It seems Jaundice has spread in quake-hit villages since last month, informed Dr Dani.
Nausea, paleness, mild fever, lack of appetite and fatigue are symptoms seen among children diagnosed with jaundice, according to doctors. They further said lack of balanced diet following the April 25 earthquake is the main cause of jaundice among children.
"Doctors at the health post asked me to give my grandson fruits like sugarcane and baby corn. I am feeding him baby corn," said Maila Gurung, a local of Barpak. He further said doctors asked him to feed his grandson proper food for the medicine to work properly.
Like Maila, many locals are feeding baby corn to their jaundice-infected children.
According to doctors, most of the jaundice patients are children and the elderly.
The infection of jaundice has also hampered the education of school-going children, according to locals.
Meanwhile, DHO Gorkha, considering the outbreak of jaundice, told Republica that the office will also initiate awareness programs for the locals. Local health workers have already urged locals to drink boiled water after jaundice outbreak in the village.
The DHO said number of sick children visiting the local health facilities of Barpak and Laprak villages has increased alarmingly. Health workers are providing their services under tents and in rented houses, according to locals.
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