POKHARA/SYANGJA, Aug 21: Despite some measures taken to control H1N1 Influenza 'A' virus, commonly known as swine flu, Kaski and Syangja districts are still facing problems to control the virus.
Vector Control Inspector Yam Baral at the District Health Office, said, "The situation in Syangja is improving but the number of patients in Kaski has not decreased despite less number of deaths."
He said that swine flu can be transferred easily from person to person as it is a communicable disease.
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Kaski had sent some 529 samples last January for testing out of which 315 came out positive. Among the 315 samples, 282 samples were confirmed of H1N1 virus. "Other samples were found positive but they were less risky," said Baral.
"We have an increase in number of patients complaining of swine flu for the past three days" said Baral.
Baral said few samples were sent from Syangja, Tanahun, Lamjung, Myagdi, Parbat and Kathmandu which also turned out positive.
Ten people so far have lost their lives this year out of which three of them were from Kaski, informed Baral.
"Patients were not aware about the virus before," said Baral, who informed that the number of deaths has decreased due to increasing awareness among the public.
He said that the virus could have spread due to the changing weather. "We thought that this epidemic could be controlled in a month but that did not happen due to change in weather," said Baral, adding that the weather in Pokhara has not been consistent in recent months.
Baral told that this virus is more prevalent in urban areas like Kaski than in Syangja. He further added that it is hard to control it in urban areas due to the thick population.
Health Officer Yam Prasad Sharma of District Health Office in Syangja said, "There is less fear among the public now than before as people go to hospital due to the increased awareness."
Dr Prabin Ghimire of Primary Health Center in Waling said that the locals in Swarek, Jagatbhanjyang, Tindobato, Kalikakot, Sirsekot and Pakwadi villages have become conscious of the deadly virus. Yam Prasad Dumre, vice chairperson of Private and Boarding Schools' Organization of Nepal (PABSON) Syangja said that schools have started to resume in Waling cases of swine flu subsided to a great extent.
