Arjun Banadur Pun (30), his wife and two daughters of Punkhola, Sashaniya VDC, have been found suffering from the disease caused by Hepatitis B virus, which infects the liver of humans. It can lead to scarring of the liver and an increased risk of liver cancer. [break]
Villagers do go to Pun’s home after this family was found to be in Hepatitis B´s grip and fear that the disease might spread.
"We are panicked after the Hepatitis B virus was detected," said Thaman Singh Magar, a local teacher. “The disease could strike others too as public awareness about the disease is very low among the villagers in the VDC.”
Tirtha Raj Gyawali, chairman of Good Governance of Youth Unity, who returned to the district headquarters after a field visit of the Hepatitis B-hit area, said villager are apprehensive of the disease. "We have urged all to conduct medical check-up," he said.
It is said that the health post nearby Punkhola is four hours of walk. The distance has also added fear among local people.
According to doctors, chronic Hepatitis B may eventually cause liver cancer.
Hepatitis Can’t Wait!