The unrestricted mobility of people at the Indo-Nepal border is another threat to the people of this region, as India is also struggling to cope with the spread of the flu. Doctors say that even one infected person can poses a threat to the region."These diseases originated from India," said Dr Raju Bista of Sujang Hospital in Dipayal.
Lack of awareness among people about sanitation, hygiene and limited access to drinking water has made the situation in Doti worse, according to another Dr Sujit Shrestha, currently deployed at Doti District Hospital. People are yet to adopt general sanitation habits in the district, making them vulnerable to the disease.
The diarrhea outbreak in 2008 was the last major epidemic to hit the region. The air-borne flu could be more deadly to the population of Doti, doctors believe. As people with minor symptoms of cough and cold rarely visit the doctor, it makes it even more challenging to identify and stop the spread of the disease, Dr Shrestha mentioned. He advised the public to visit a doctor if they suspect they have the common cold or a fever.
But the Regional Health Directorate and the District Hospital are yet to launch a health awareness program for the locals. The VDC-based health posts have also complained of lack of medicine in case of such an outbreak occurring in remote villages.
Meanwhile, Regional Health Director Parshuram Shrestha claimed that his office is preparing to respond to the flu outbreak. "Health workers of all the districts in the Far West are on high alert while we are checking the status of the medicine supply," he claimed.
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