Eighteen new samples had been brought to Kathmandu from Jajarkot for laboratory examination. Of this eight tested positive for the flu. Twenty-three people have already died and hundreds of others have been infected with the influenza virus in the district over the last three weeks.
The NPHL under the Department of Health Services (DoHS), which examined the samples, confirmed that 44 percent of the samples brought in from Jajarkot tested positive for H1N1 virus.
"Eight of the samples from Jajarkot tested positive for influenza A (H1N1) virus," said Dr Geeta Shakya, director at NPHL.
Doctors deployed in the swine flu-affected villages collected samples of blood, stool and swab and sent them to NPHL for examination. Dr Shakya said NPHL has also sought samples from other districts where patients have been showing symptoms of swine flu. "We have demanded samples from Rukum and other districts," said Shakya.
She informed that the number of people infected with virus in the capital has also increased rapidly over the last few days. The NPHL said 35 people have been infected with the influenza virus from March 6 to April 9 this month. Four people including CPN-UML leader Ram Nath Dhakal died and over 700 have been infected with the virus since January this year.
Doctors say infants, elderly and ailing people with diminished immunity are more vulnerable to the virus. She said common symptoms of influenza 'A' include fever, sore throat, muscle pain, severe headache, weakness, fatigue and cough.
Meanwhile, the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) under the DoHS said the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has agreed to release sufficient budget for swine fly control. "The MoF has assured of releasing sufficient amount for the control of swine flu in Jajarkot district," said Dr Baburam Marasini, director at the EDCD.
The EDCD has said that it does not have adequate budget for swine flu control.
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