Diarrhea kills 200 in western Nepal

More than 200 people have died of diarrhea epidemic in the western parts of Nepal. Epidemiology and Disease Control Division of Nepal has said that hazardous and contaminated water is identified as a major cause of the epidemic.

The total death toll has already crossed the mark of 200 in the districts of Jajarkot, Rukum and Dailekh, according to media reports.Health ministry officials say more than 200 people have died of diarrhea in mid-west regional districts including Jajarlot,Rukum, Dailekh, Salyan, Dang, Rolpa and over 18,000 patients have been treated so far.

The affected area is one to two days walks from major roads. There are less health assistants and medical practitioners in the affected area and most of the people are illiterate. Productivity is very low in the affected area. Food shortage has made the condition even deteriorating. People are dying without medicine and urgent treatment.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and other political leaders have visited the affected area. Addressing a program in the capital PM Nepal said that some people were found eating meat of dead animals in the affected area. The government is holding discussions with donor agencies and non-governmental organizations and has asked for their support. Though the government has said that the epidemic is gradually coming under control, the death toll continues to rise. But the government hasn´t yet declared the affected area as an ´emergency zone´.

The government is planning to launch short and long term relief package for the affected districts. The package will include food relief, compensation amount, education for the kids who have lost their parents to the disease and drinking water supply, among others. Cholera has also been detected in the affected area.