Kala-azar disease spreading for the last two months in Saptari district in eastern Nepal is now under control, the Nepali National News Agency RSS reported on Wednesday.

Public Health Administrator Rakesh Thakur said that the disease has been controlled after sprinkling the medicine extensively in the disease-hit areas, distributing nets and launching several awareness programs.

The disease had claimed the lives of five people, including three from a family.

Kala-azar has taken the district in its stronghold for the last seven years, so that all efforts are made to eliminate the disease, Thakur added.

According to the Public Health Office, more than 95 villages in the district are affected by the disease.

The people suffered from the disease were treated freely in local hospitals and health centers, the RSS said.

A district level relief fund has been established because of impecunious condition, and an eight-member Epidemic Disease Control Committee has been formed under the convenorship of Dr Tek Narayan Mandal.

For the blood supply to the victims, various blood donation programs were held by the Nepal Army, non-governmental organizations and government offices.

It is said as many as 13 districts are under Kala-azar threat in Nepal.

Source: Xinhua