Mysterious flu-like disease kills 16 in two weeks in Nepal

Sixteen (16) people have died and many others have been taken ill due to a mysterious disease in Raya, Syada and Madana VDCs in Humla district in Nepal in the past two weeks.

People suffering from the disease have flu-like symptoms, including headache, fever and common cold.

VDC stands for village development committee, which in the Philippine setting is nearly equivalent to a municipality. Humla, according to nepaltrust.org, is one of “Nepal’s highest and most inaccessible districts.”

The report said 14 people in Raya and Syada VDCs and two people in Madana VDC have succumbed to the disease so far, according to locals.

Ram Prasad Bhusal, a teacher at Syada VDC, said while the disease is fast spreading, there is a shortage of medicine in the region.

To reach the disease-affected areas from the district headquarters of Simikot, it takes one at least four days on foot.

Amardip Dev of District Public Health Office said medical teams were sent to the affected areas soon after the disease was reported.

A flu-like disease has also been reported in Rodikot, Saya, Barai and Melchham villages. TVJ