KATHMANDU, May 6: The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) has said it is well aware of viral fever spreading in some districts and is ready to go there in case of an outbreak.
According to EDCD officials, the seasonal viral fever has gripped some hill districts including Gulmi, Bajura and Dang, claiming one life in Bajura.
Along with the viral fever, people in Gulmi are also affected by diarrhea.
Shambhu Prasad Jnawali, chief of the Disease Surveillance and Research Section of EDCD, said that they are ready to move to the districts in case of emergency.
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“In the wake of the viral fever spreading in the far-flung districts, we have kept our staffers standby and restricted them from going outside Kathmandu for any other program,” he added.
Viral fever spreads through contaminated water and air, according to the EDCD. Once humans are infected, it transfers from one person to another. However, it is not communicated from animals to human beings.
The disease mostly affects elderly people and children.
“If it is treated in time, it is not fatal,” said Jnawali. “However, it is a problem for people with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, lungs problems, kidney failure, and those who smoke and consume alcohol,” he added.
Its treatment is simple and available in all local bodies, said the EDCD officials.
“Taking rest, hot water and warm food helps subside the disease,” said Jnawali. “Taking paracetamol is advisable,” he added. “There is no shortage of medicine for the viral fever in the country.”
Jnawali further said that the local bodies are given the authority to handle the case at the local levels. “There are already health workers in the local units. We need not go there for minor problems.”
Though the government officials claimed that there is no shortage of medicine, several local bodies have been facing shortage of medicines such as paracetamol tablets. On the other hand, the required health workers are not easily available in many local bodies.
