Rabina Kathayat, a local of Ramnakot VDC, who had been suffering from pneumonia, succumbed to the flu, informed Katak Mahat, senior auxiliary health worker at the District Health Office (DHO), Kalikot.A total of 204 patients -- 104 in Mehalmudi VDC and 100 in Ramnakot VDC -- were diagnosed with seasonal flu since Monday, according to the DHO. Twenty patients above the age of 50 and three children, among the infected, are said to be in critical condition, Lalit Jung Shahi, a doctor involved in the treatment, informed.
A team of health workers led by Dr Rajendra Pant, director at Mid-Western Regional Directorate based in Surkhet, on Wednesday reached the district after their visit to Jajarkot and Jumla districts after it was known that hundreds of people in Kalikot had been infected with the seasonal flu.
During an emergency press meet in the district headquarters Manma, team leader and regional director Dr Pant told media that the symptoms seen in the patients of Kalikot are similar to those in Jajarkot. The team suggested to the district authorities and stakeholders to declare a high alert in the district.
According to Dr Pant, the 'H1N1' virus is difficult to identify. He suggested to the locals not to move from one place to another, consume enough hot water, take complete rest and wear masks.
The seasonal flu is easily transmitted to children, elderly and patients of other diseases. Although high alert has been declared in all the 30 VDCs in Kalikot, locals are complaining of shortage of medicines at local health facilities. The spread of the deadly flu from Jajarkot to Kalikot has panicked the locals.
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