Death toll from gastroenteritis rises to 248 in Nepal

The death toll from gastroenteritis across Nepal since late April has reached 248 as of Monday, with about 15,939 more people affected, an official of the Health Ministry said Tuesday.

Out of the 75 districts in the country, 32 districts have been affected by the disease in the 16 epidemiological weeks since April 13, said Mahendra Bahadur Bista, director of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division of the ministry.

"We have sent the first batch of medication to 23 affected districts, while the remaining nine districts have requested for additional supplies," Bista said.

Recent tests conducted on samples of drinking water have revealed that the water quality has improved in the Kathmandu valley, he noted, adding that earlier tests had found up to 180 plus coliform organisms per 100 ml of water.

"The overall situation is under control and rapid response teams have been mobilized in areas that are reporting outbreaks," he said.

The gastroenteritis epidemic normally spreads from April to September in Nepal. The major reasons behind the spread of the disease are the unsafe drinking water and unhygienic environment.

Source: Xinhua