Gastroenteritis Kills 200 In Nepal; 16,162 Cases Recorded

Kathmandu, Nepal (AHN)- The Nepalese government on Wednesday sounded the alarm on the recurring diarrhea outbreak in the region, with over 200 people killed and 16,162 cases reported in the first six months of the year alone.

According to Dr. Manas Kumar Banerjee, project coordinator of Avian Influenza Control Project under the Epidemiology and Disease Control Unit (EDCU), the government would implement a massive campaign and operational research throughout the region to determine the causes behind the "focal epidemic."

"As such cases have been recurring in Kalikot for a long time, the main focus of the study will be in the area," stressed Banerjee.

The doctor claimed that the outbreak was mainly due to flooding, landslide and rainfall. He explained that 80 to 90 percent of the problem was due to contaminated drinking water and 10 to 20 percent cases due to the consumption of bacterial contaminated food.

Other identified critical areas for the deadly cholera include Kathmandu and Nepali districts like Saptari, Rautahat, Chitwan, Humla, Dhanusa, Mahottari, Rautahat and Terai.

"Such recurrences have posed a challenge to the government. The cases have been spreading but it could be brought under control if the people pay attention to their daily routines, sanitation and drinking water," Dr. Banerjee said.

Poor economic condition in remote communities and lack of professionals to advise people on health and safety are also big contributing factors in the outbreak.